The world is yearning for a clear path to bold leadership and true equality. Iceland stands as a rare and powerful example—a testament that meaningful change is within reach when we choose to act together.
As a native from the Island, I was invited to speak at Female Wave of Change Canada (FWOCC) this January 2025 to share insights and inspire action.
Before I share my personal experience, let’s review a brief timeline of Ireland’s gender equality triumphs:
2015: The female suffrage was introduced in Iceland in 1915.
1915: Women over 40 gained the right to vote in national elections. This was a big deal—yet women under 40 still had to wait.
1922: The first woman was elected to the Icelandic parliament. But here’s the twist: it would take over 60 more years for women to even reach 5% representation there. Talk about persistence.
1957: Iceland elected its first female mayor in an Icelandic municipality election.
1970: The first female Cabinet Minister in Iceland was elected.
1975: Icelandic women went on strike. Let me say that again: on strike. They refused to show up for work; they refused to do household chores; they refused to care for children or the elderly for an entire day. The country practically ground to a halt. It was called Women's Day Off.
1976: The following year, a law was passed guaranteeing equal rights for all genders in Iceland. That strike was more than just a protest—it was a massive wake-up call.
1980: Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Europe's first female president, and the first woman in the world to be democratically elected as a head of state serving Iceland for 16 years. She’s still beloved today, and I can’t overstate how pivotal her presidency was in shifting mindsets.
1983: The Women's List of Women's Alliance (Icelandic: Samtök um kvennalista), also called Kvennalistinn and abbreviated KL, was a feminist political party in Iceland that took part in national politics from 1983 to 1999.
2009: Iceland elected its first female Prime Minister.
2013: Iceland passed a new law that obligates companies to have a minimum of 40% of women or men on their boards in 2010.
Tracing Iceland’s Bold Roots
My journey began in Iceland, where I became an entrepreneur in my early twenties—too naïve to believe I couldn't start a company just because I was a young woman. With no role models or support, I forged ahead, learning that ignorance of limitations can be a powerful superpower.
Years later, people often asked, “What makes Icelandic women so successful in achieving equality?” Initially, I had no clear answer—was it our Viking heritage or something more?
Historians later clarified: Iceland’s progress wasn’t about mythic strength but relentless activism, smart policies, and grassroots determination over a century of effort.
Iceland’s small size has been an advantage, allowing ideas to spread rapidly and drive change effectively. Since 1980, progressive policies have accelerated progress—mandating gender-balanced boards, offering 12 months of paid parental leave, enforcing equal pay laws, and tackling gender-based violence.
These aren’t just ideals; they come with real consequences for non-compliance.
Modern Leadership
Iceland recently made history with a government led by women across three political parties, inaugurated by the country’s second female president, Halla Tómasdóttir.
She emphasizes courage and has founded the Knights of Love, a movement promoting care, connection, and compassionate leadership.
They’re challenging the old power-over paradigm of war and domination with a vision of “power to” and “power with.” It’s about unleashing all of our inner leaders for the collective good.
This shift aligns with a broader global movement to balance feminine qualities like empathy and collaboration with masculine traits such as drive and execution, fostering a more inclusive and holistic leadership approach.
While Iceland tops gender equality rankings, the work continues with recent milestones:
A female president
A female prime minister
A female parliament president
A female chief of police
A female bishop
These role models inspire young girls to believe, “If she can do it, so can I.” That’s the true legacy—empowering the next generation to lead, innovate, and shape the future.
Step Up and Lead
What does Iceland’s journey mean for us? It’s a call to action—wherever we are, we can drive change:
Embrace Courage: Take bold steps—launch that idea, run for office, speak up. Courage is contagious.
Push for Policy: Real change needs laws. Advocate for equal pay, parental leave, and safety for all.
Use Our Voice: Collective action creates waves—just like Icelandic women did in 1975.
Lead with Compassion: Challenge outdated power dynamics and foster unity through initiatives that inspire.
Be a Role Model: Every action we take lights the way for someone else.
Change takes time, but it starts with us. Today, leadership blends action with empathy and logic with intuition.
Iceland proves that true progress happens when we integrate these energies.
Picture the waves on Reykjavík’s black sand beaches—each one shaping the shore, just as each bold step shapes our future.
The wave of equality is here. Let’s ride it together—dream bigger, speak louder, and lead with courage. Iceland’s strategies aren’t secrets; they’re blueprints for us all.
That’s why I do what I do—I believe in the true power of change.
About the Author
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Rúna Bouius
Fractional Leadership Officer & Executive Coach
Rúna Bouius, a visionary Icelandic futurist and conscious leadership expert, transforms business thinking through speaking, writing, and coaching.
As a former CEO and serial entrepreneur, she co-founded Conscious Capitalism LA Chapter and Coventina Foundation, championing regenerative leadership and societal change.
Read her story here.
