Women in Iceland

• Main Author: Johnson, M. E.
• Published: Durham University 1984
• Subjects: 301; Women in Icelandic society
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.351202

This thesis is a study of the position of women in Icelandic society which incorporates historical and contemporary perspectives. It is divided into three sections, entitled Invisible Women, Visible Women and Becoming Visible. The first part opens with an outline history of Iceland from its settlement by the Vikings until the beginning of the nineteenth century. Particular attention is paid to the life of women, both aristocrats and those of other classes and the gender-related division of labour. This analysis is elaborated in the next chapter which utilises census data from the area in which I carried out fieldwork, to examine the form and functions of the household and changes in women's role resulting from the industrialisation of the society. The following two chapters consider women's dual contemporary role as housewives and wage earners, focussing on fish-factory work. The section entitled Visible Women concerns The Women's Day Off (Kvennafrfdagurinn) held in 1975, when the majority of Icelandic women stopped work for one day. The Day is described and the reasons for the mass participation of the nation's women are analysed. The final section of the thesis is a consideration of those organisations which have campaigned on behalf of Icelandic women. Chapter seven describes the women's societies which developed in the nineteenth century, the suffrage movement, women's trades unions and legislation during this century which formally extended women's rights. The final chapter analyses The Redstockings Movement (RauOsokkahreyfingin), the Icelandic representative of the modern feminist movement. Its inception, structure, growth, development and relationship with other organisations are examined.