A Conversation with the President of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson

On May 4^th, 2018, the World Affairs Council welcomed the President of Iceland, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson.

The conversation ranged from Gender Equity to Iceland’s role in fighting global climate change. The President, in addressing Gender Equity, asserted their drive to pursue such goals, stems from Iceland being a small society, “As a nation of fisher folk, because of our size, they needed everyone in the workplace.” Continuing to say that “women have always been viewed as more than capable to perform the same jobs as men.”

Iceland gave women the right to vote in 1915, and have now recently passed a pay equity law making it illegal to pay men and women differently for the same jobs.

President Jóhannesson says even though they have come a long way in terms of gender equity in Iceland, there is still much more work to do in creating a more inclusive world for everyone.

“We must be careful to not be too complacent and ensure we keep moving forward to attain gender equality. We move better together, and while removing gender disparities such as wage are very important, we must keep moving forward.”

This event was co-hosted by the Nordic Museum, whose new facility is opened May 5, 2018.