REYKJAVÍK GLOBAL FORUM - WOMEN LEADERS

8 – 10TH November 2021

Shaping Global Conversation

ÁFRAM MEÐ SMJÖRIÐ! – ON WITH THE BUTTER!

It might sound slightly unusual for non-Icelanders, but this Icelandic phrase has a clear advice: it tells you that we need to move forward. So let’s move forward together, in Iceland, at the Reykjavík Global Forum – Women Leaders 2021!

In this new era of convening, the 2021 Reykjavík Global Forum will take place on 8-10 November as a hybrid gathering, offering the opportunity for an in-person conference hosted in Reykjavík, and a simultaneous digital gathering via the Forum’s digital platform.

The Reykjavík Global Forum is co-hosted by Women Political Leaders (WPL), the Government of Iceland and the Parliament of Iceland.

Co-Chairs

The Forum relies on a high level and ambassadorial committee of Co-Chairs. The committee is made up of leading figures from academia, civil Society, business, and politics who identify with the mission of the Reykjavík Global Forum have been actively supporting women to express their voices. Co-Chairs are nominated by the Women Political Leaders Board and approved by the Icelandic Steering Committee.

Co-chairs advise on the Forum program and its activities, thereby pushing conversations out of the comfort zone to explore ways to respond to societal issues.

Co-Chairs
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  • MICHELLE BACHELET

    United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

  • KATRÍN JAKOBSDÓTTIR

    Prime Minister of Iceland, Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders

  • AMINA J. MOHAMMED

    Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations

ICELAND: THE GLOBAL CHAMPION OF EQUALITY BETWEEN WOMEN AND MEN

The Reykjavík Global Forum takes place in Iceland. For many years Iceland has been the global champion in the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report which examines disparities between men and women in terms of political empowerment, economic opportunity, education and health.

milestones that matter:
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1915
Women gain national suffrage and the right to hold office
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1922
The first woman elected to the Icelandic Parliament
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1961
Equal Pay Act approved by the Parliament
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1975
Women nationwide take a day off on October 24
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1976
Equality Act approved and the Equaliry Council is founded
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1980
The first nationally elected female president in the world
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1982
The Women’s Alliance runs for Parliament
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1995
Equal rights of women and men stated in the constitution
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2003
Equal rights of women and men of parental leave
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2010
Companies are obliged to have 40% women or men on board
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4 things that made the difference

Equal Parental Leave

9 Months (3 for women, 3 for men and 3 to share). A combination of guaranteed daycare and parental leave allows women to continue working post-children. Over several years, men taking parental leave is up to 90%.

Equal Pay Law

On 1 June 2017, Iceland passed an instrumental law requiring proof from all Icelandic companies that they are paying men and women equally for doing the same job.

Strong Female Role Models and Women in Power

47% of MP’s are women, over 65% of members in local governments are women; over 65% of university students of women; 80% of women participate in the labour market.

Consensus From Left to Right

Icelandic women have, in most cases, agreed upon the greatest gender equality steps taken, across party lines.