Thousands of women joined this Tuesday in Iceland in what is the first general strike in 48 years to demand an end to the wage gap and demand complete equality between men and women.
The day of protests has started with several rallies in a dozen cities throughout the country, such as the city of Akureyri, in the north, where hundreds of people have gathered to show their solidarity with the cause.
In Reykjavík, the capital, there have already been produced some marches around Hverfisgatu Avenue ahead of the protest scheduled for midday on Arnarhol Street, also central, according to information from the Icelandic newspaper ‘Visir’.
Previously, groups of women have taken to the streets on the island of Hrísey to demand equality and respect within the framework of the events organized throughout the day, which will be attended by around 10,000 people, according to data from the organization.
The country’s prime minister, Katrin Jakobsdottirand several members of his Cabinet, such as the Minister of Justice, Gudrun Hafsteinsdottir, and the Minister of Culture, Lilja Alfredsdottir, have joined the strike. In addition, the Government has announced an allocation of 10 million crowns (about 67,000 euros) to a dozen equality projects, as stated on its own website.