Iceland, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2009, is "the country with the narrowest gender gap in the world" and has remained centuries ahead of others in terms of equal rights. In 1815 he was one of the first to introduce partial women's suffrage, granting women of independent means and widows the right to vote in local government elections, eventually granting full parliamentary suffrage to women of all ages by 1920. However, Despite these revolutionary steps towards the beginning of the 20th century, Icelandic women still had a long way to go to be considered equal in the home, workplace and in society itself in the 1970s. This culminated in action, on October 24, 1975, when Icelandic women called “Women's Free Day.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay For many, an action like this is long overdue. The women's and hippie movements of the 1960s introduced younger populations to change, allowing them to question their societies and governments. Icelandic women were tired of being considered nothing more than housewives and mothers. Jobs were often designated and targeted to particular genders, as women were expected to work for lower wages. Since women had been allowed to stand for election in 1915, only nine women had taken seats in parliament. In 1975 there were only three female parliamentarians, making up only 5% of the cabinet, while the other Nordic parliaments consisted of 16-23% women. The main group fighting for women's rights in Iceland at that time was “The Redstockings”. They were a radical women's organization founded in 1969 in New York City and then established in Iceland in 1970, campaigning to combat traditional and restrictive views of women, inspired by liberal student uprisings in the United States and across Europe during the '60. The Icelandic group first proposed a strike for women's rights in the workplace, adopting the name “Women's Day Free” to compromise with older generations who did not appreciate their radical approaches. After the United Nations declared 1975 International Women's Year, Redstockings were inspired to take action. The purpose of the strike was not to abandon one's responsibilities or show hatred for one's family life, but to give people the opportunity to appreciate the role women play in society. The Redstockings also proved essential in the legalization of abortion, campaigned for political parties to increase female representation, and presented evidence of pay discrimination both before and after the October 1975 strike. After the strike was proposed, in August 1975 a meeting was organized to develop an action plan. They wrote to many important Icelandic women's societies and trade unions, and by gaining solid support from the trade unions, many women were able to turn to their workplace for support. Organizers took advantage of the media attention to publicly denounce the low pay and sexual discrimination facing women in the workplace. Despite this, many men still thought little of the strike and felt that it would end. On the morning of October 24, 1975, 90% of Icelandic women refused to work or do housework for the entire day and took to the streets to protest unequal treatment in society. Strikes took place across the country bringing together women from all different political and political backgrounds.”.