(Lucknow): What Happens When Women Take a Day Off?
Have you ever stopped to consider what would happen if every woman in the world took a day off? No work, no cooking, no household chores—just a single day where women stepped away and let the world run without them. Would everything grind to a halt? Would the economy collapse, or would the world find a way to function? While this question might sound theoretical, in Iceland, it was a reality. On October 24, 1975, Icelandic women took a bold step and put this very question to the test, leaving an unforgettable mark on their nation.
Iceland Comes to a Halt: A Bold Statement
Iceland’s “Kvennafrídagurinn” or Women’s Day Off wasn’t just a demonstration, it was a nationwide standstill. An astounding 90% of women across Iceland refused to work that day, both in their professional roles and within their homes. The impact was immediate and profound. Schools, banks, stores, and even factories closed their doors. Media outlets, reliant on female staff, struggled to keep up operations. Meanwhile, the men left to manage household duties were quickly overwhelmed. The chaos that ensued became the talk of the country: from confused fathers attempting to manage children and cook meals, to a spike in the sale of sausages—the easiest meal for many fathers to prepare. This day of disorder, which came to be known as “Long Friday,” was a powerful, albeit humorous, reminder of how critical women’s labour is, both paid and unpaid. Their absence revealed just how much society relies on their contributions, many of which go unrecognised.
A Turning Point: The Ripple Effects of the Day Off
While the immediate effects of the Women’s Day Off were felt on that day, the longer-term impact was even more transformative. The event sparked a shift in Icelandic society. Just five years later, in 1980, Iceland made history by electing its first female president, Vigdis Finnbogadóttir, who became the first democratically elected female head of state in the world. Finnbogadóttir herself credited the Women’s Day Off with changing public attitudes toward gender equality, making her election possible. The event had demonstrated the incredible power of women when they united for a cause, and the country was ready to embrace a leader who embodied that change. One memorable moment from her presidency came when a young Icelandic boy, after seeing Ronald Reagan’s election as U.S. president, asked, “Can a man really be president?” This innocent question highlighted the power of representation and how it shapes future generations’ beliefs about what is possible.
A Continuing Legacy: Women’s Struggle for Equality
Iceland’s Women’s Day Off was not a one-time event. Over the decades, women in Iceland have continued to lead the charge for gender equality. In recent years, Icelandic women have organised protests to demand equal pay, better workplace conditions, and an end to gender-based violence. The most recent walkout in 2023 emphasised the ongoing struggle, but it also showcased how much progress has been made since that pivotal day in 1975. Iceland is now a global leader in gender equality, consistently ranked at the top of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index since 2009. The country has also made significant strides in political representation, with women now comprising 44% of the Icelandic parliament, a dramatic increase from just three women in 1975.
Lessons from Iceland: The Power of Collective Action
The Women’s Day Off showed the world that change happens when people unite for a common cause. Iceland didn’t become a leader in gender equality by chance—it was the result of deliberate action and women refusing to remain invisible. The event sparked conversations about equality and prompted shifts in policy that would reverberate for years to come. As we approach International Women’s Day, it’s worth reflecting on the power of collective action and the long road still ahead. Next time someone dismisses the role of women in society, remind them of Iceland’s revolutionary day off and ask them what would happen if women everywhere took the day off. Iceland showed us that when women step back, the world takes notice—and history is never the same.
