Iceland leads the way on gender parity

Earlier this year, Iceland became the first country in the world to introduce a law that requires equal pay for men and women.

The Scandinavian island also ranks first in the World Economic Forum's gender equality .


So what is Iceland doing right?

Work & Wages


The Reykjavik branch of household megastore Ikea was a pioneer in implementing the new law.

Half its staff and the majority of managers are female.

And that's good for business, says CEO Th'orarinn AEvarsson:

"It's absolutely impossible for the long term to have a profitable company unless you have your staff happy. Happy staff, they are producing more, they are selling more. And if half of your staff is not happy, it's absolutely impossible to have a decent business."

Parenting

In Iceland, equal rights start at home. Men and women are entitled to three months parental leave each per child, plus an additional three months to share between them.

Hj'almar "Orn J'ohannsson is taking parental leave so his partner, Lj'osbr'a Logad'ottir, can return to her job as a director at a major Icelandic bank.

"In the beginning when they (babies) are growing and getting to do new things and learning, it's a good thing for me to get the connection," Hj'almar says.


"And for me," adds Lj'osbr'a, "it's really important that I can (re)turn back to my job and I still have my job, and have high salaries, as high as the men".

Education

Fighting discrimination is part of the curriculum at Icelandic schools.

Gender study classes were first here launched ten years ago. Now, they're compulsory at most high schools.

Hanna Bj"org Vilhj'almsd'ottir teaches gender studies at Borgarholtssk'oli school.


"There will not be equality, nowhere, in any society, if the school system is not an active part in it. We mould their ideas here".


Room for improvement


But even Iceland still needs to evolve.

Alongside its record on equal rights, the country still has high rates of violence against women.