The best place to be a woman?

Summary

Iceland is leading the world in gender equality, pioneering methods to close the pay gap and challenge gender stereotypes. The country's success starts early with kindergartens focused on balancing gender traits and a Daddy Quota policy encouraging fathers to share childcare. Recently, Iceland passed legislation requiring companies to prove equal pay for similar work, addressing unconscious biases and promoting accountability.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Women globally have less access to power, wealth, and education compared to men.
• 🏝 Iceland is a leader in bridging gender gaps and promoting gender equality.
• 👶 Starting early is key: Icelandic kindergartens challenge gender stereotypes in children.
• 🏫 There are 17 schools in Iceland focused on developing balanced characteristics in both sexes.
• 👧 Girls are encouraged to develop traditionally masculine traits like boldness and independence.
• 👦 Boys are given opportunities to learn traditionally feminine traits like empathy and caring.
• 🔍 Research shows that children from these schools have a better understanding of gender equality.
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Iceland promotes gender equality by encouraging fathers to share childcare through the 'Daddy Quota'.
• 💼 Icelandic fathers can take three months of statutory paternity leave, with 80% of their salary covered by the state.
• 📊 Iceland passed legislation in 2024 to tackle the gender pay gap, requiring companies to prove equal pay for similar work.
• 💼 Companies with over 25 employees must measure jobs against criteria to ensure equal pay for equal work.
• 💵 Critics warn of financial consequences for companies as they address pay inequalities.

Q & A

What is the main issue that women around the globe face according to the script?

Women around the globe have less access to power, wealth, and education than men.

Which country is leading the world in bridging the gender gap?

Iceland is leading the world in bridging the gender gap.

What is one of the secrets to Iceland's success in gender equality?

One of the secrets to Iceland's success is starting early with education, focusing on challenging gender stereotypes in kindergarten.

How does the kindergarten in Reykjavik challenge gender stereotypes?

The kindergarten separates girls and boys to allow them to nurture traits traditionally viewed as opposite to their gender.

What is the 'Daddy Quota' introduced by Iceland in 2000?

The 'Daddy Quota' is a three-month statutory paternity leave policy in Iceland.

What percentage of fathers in Iceland take up the full three months of paternity leave?

Over 70 percent of fathers in Iceland take up the full three months of paternity leave.

How does the state support fathers during the paternity leave in Iceland?

The state covers 80 percent of the father's salary during the paternity leave, up to a cap of $4,600 a month.

What legislation did Iceland pass to tackle the gender pay gap?

Iceland passed legislation requiring companies with over 25 employees to prove they are paying men and women equally for similar jobs.

How does Reykjavik Energy measure and ensure equal pay for equal work?

Reykjavik Energy measures every job against a set of criteria to produce a score, and ensures that workers with the same score are paid the same.

What was the outcome when Reykjavik Energy used the pay calculator?

Reykjavik Energy noticed a pay gap between unskilled workers, mainly men, working outside and unskilled workers, mostly women, working inside.

How does the script suggest the gender pay gap is formed?

The script suggests that the gender pay gap is formed due to unconscious bias where traditionally male-dominated jobs are valued more.

What is the financial consequence for companies as they rectify their pay inequalities according to the script?

The financial consequence for companies is that they may face significant costs as they rectify their pay inequalities.

Why is it argued that the financial cost to companies is a necessary price to pay?

It is argued that the financial cost is necessary because paying the same wage for equally valuable jobs is a human rights issue.