In Iceland, women and non-binary individuals are on strike against violence and the gender pay gap
Have you ever tried searching for "what to do if someone harasses you"? Among the various suggestions are avoiding eye contact, crossing the street, keeping your phone with the police number ready, and so on. All articles and statistics are aimed at women. I tried searching for "what to do if a woman harasses you," and the search engine returned the same results, all directed at women*.
According to data collected by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2021, Germany recorded 337 victims of gender-related homicides, France had 228, the United Kingdom had 207, and Spain had 97. Italy ranked fourth with 119 cases. The debate on the existence of feminicides is still ongoing.
Iceland, on the other hand, holds the record for the lowest number of cases, with only one reported. Iceland is taking to the streets today with a strike of women and non-binary individuals, specifically against the gender pay gap and gender-based violence. 40% of Icelandic women report having experienced some form of violence.
On March 30th of this year, the European Parliament issued a directive on pay transparency*, which, among other things, punishes companies that maintain a wage gap exceeding 5%. However, it will take time for member states to adjust their regulations and implement checks. This wouldn't be the first fine imposed for failing to meet implementation deadlines (see workplace safety).
The gender pay gap still exists. Women continue to be paid less than men for the same positions, with a 13% lower wage in the EU.
*Please note: The directive may address issues such as transparency in salary, but it does not seem directly related to gender-based harassment.
It is a right to have the same salary for the same job or role. Why shouldn't it be so?
Salary discrimination is not only unjust and unjustifiable, but it also poses another significant problem. It diminishes a woman's economic power and, consequently, her independence, especially on psychological and decision-making levels.
According to available data (which do not include all unreported crimes), in Europe, one in three women aged 15 and older has experienced physical or sexual violence. When I think about all the women I know, it sends shivers down my spine.
In a recent episode of the #podcast featuring Flavia Brevi (only available in italian), we discussed another vital tool in combating stereotypes and violence: words.
Using words that respect each one of us in our uniqueness, that unite and broaden our perspectives, is a powerful means to combat discrimination and violence. In the context of reporting on the demonstration in Iceland, many articles used non-inclusive terms, such as "the organizers," overlooking the fact that among them were non-binary individuals and perhaps even men.
While on one hand, we need words that raise awareness, on the other hand, we need words that define: making sexually suggestive remarks does not simply mean making light-hearted jokes; it constitutes harassment. Exploiting one's position to assert the right to say and do as one pleases towards a person who lacks the same authority is an act of abuse. Asserting that a feminicide, where the victim is a woman, can be equated to an ordinary homicide while neglecting the underlying motive rooted in a male-chauvinistic mindset and the false belief in the right to dominate another person is entirely unjustifiable.
In an interview about the movie "The Post," Meryl Streep stated:
"Women have learned the language of men, they have lived in men's households their whole lives. We can speak this language. Women speak 'man.' Men don't speak 'woman.'"
Today, my heart is with the people who are protesting in Iceland and around the world (I think of the demonstrations in Iran and the tragic death of Armita).
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*Harassment against men does exist, but statistically, it is less prevalent.
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