News - 09.09.2025

VR Podcast and the Woman Who “Does Nothing”

This autumn marks fifty years since Icelandic women left both their paid and unpaid work for a day and demanded that their contribution to the workforce be properly valued. In the rosy glow of history, it may appear that this was a simple effort and that unity was complete. But, as countless accounts of this significant day show, preparing for the Women’s Day Off required immense dedication, perseverance, and negotiation skills. Through the efforts of countless women, this broad solidarity was formed, which changed Icelandic society for the future.

One of the things women did was to create a flyer answering the question “Why a Day Off for Women?”—undoubtedly the question they were most frequently asked. On the flyer, which is preserved at the Women’s History Archives, the following points are made:

-- Because the average wages of women in trade and commerce are only 73% of the average wages of men doing the same jobs.

-- Because the gender of applicants often matters more in hiring decisions than education and qualifications.

-- Because it is commonly said about a housewife, “she isn‘t working – just keeping house.”

Though much water has happened since 1975, hardly anyone today would claim that gender equality has been achieved in Icelandic society. Moreover, it is increasingly important to view equality issues through multiple lenses. For example, some of the items listed in the 1975 flyer may apply to immigrants in Iceland today — whether it relates to the wage gap or lack of career advancement.

VR is participating in the Year of Women 2025 with full force! As we celebrate the victories, we also take stock of the present and look ahead. What is it like to be a woman in the Icelandic labour market fifty years after the Women’s Day Off? In five podcast episodes, we explore this question and talk to women working in various jobs. We have already spoken with women in retail and office jobs, and upcoming episodes will feature conversations with women working in warehouses and tourism. Finally, we will look to both the past and the future with women who have been elected to represent VR.

The discussions have been lively, and our female members in VR have had no shortage of insights to share. We talk about diversity in the workplace, the third shift and balancing work with family life, harassment and violence, menopause, the number of steps taken in retail jobs, and much more. It is easy to see parallels between the struggles of women in 1975 and the situation today. For example, household work is still undervalued, and women carry the burden of unpaid labour, which in official accounts is reflected in the phrase “ she isn‘t working – just keeping house.”

The VR podcast is available on all major podcast platforms and on the VR website (in Icelandic only).

Best regards,

Halla Gunnarsdóttir
Leader of VR