Reykjavík Museum of Photography

It has been 50 years since women all over Iceland stopped their paid and unpaid jobs and brought the country to a standstill. Women's Day Off was held on October 24 to protest various forms of discrimination against women in the labor market and to draw attention to the contributions of women to society.


The photographs in the exhibition were all taken on Women's Day, held at Lækjartorg on October 24, 1975, where it is estimated that 25,000 women attended the meeting. This is likely one of the largest outdoor gatherings in Iceland's history. The event attracted worldwide attention.


The poet, Karólína Rós Ólafsdóttir, wrote the poem Within Sight specifically for the exhibition, drawing inspiration from the photographs on display.

Women's Day Off was held on October 24 to protest various forms of discrimination against women in the labor market and to draw attention to the contributions of women to society.

#### Within sight


People fill the streets and nothing 

is visible except the top of a head by another 

solidarity is an ocean, frothing energy 

signs and banners are surfaces on the crowd 

clear messages, painted, hands 

that stretch the words upwards, it is impossible 

to live off of air only 

offices empty 

and service counters, the fish tubs frozen in place 

children at home eating hot dogs, children 

tugging at a tie knot, agitated inside but outside voices 

that shout 

step forward and look ahead, rise up 

from the prejudice pit, 

a future within sight! 

Stickers and badges on each coat, 

each woolen garment, outside voices 

that sing Yes I dare, can and 

fists in the air, demanding questions, 

keep at it. 

The freedom now within sight 

fifty years later and soon 

it is October again and frosted windows again, 

again women with signs in hand tying 

their shoes on, time to remind of everything 

that had to happen immediately and still does 

those who wish us backwards 

do not understand what came before 

do not understand 

that solidarity is an ocean, a foaming wave 

again, there are fists in the air, singing again 

and here you stand again, at a protest 

Lækjartorg square full of vision 

look at the crowd, find the demands burning 

and the willpower. Shout! Fix your hat 

it might be cold but it does not matter 

pull a red sock over your ankle, the sky is bright 

and the placards state clearly, wake up now 

wake up, the fight is not finishing today.



The Women's Day Off October 24 1975

Currently on view in Skotið exhibition space - an exhibition from the museum collection on the occasion that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the The Women's Day Off on October 24 1975 which was a monumental moment in Icelandic (women's) history.

The Wo­men's Day Off Oc­to­ber 24 1975

Currently on view in Skotið exhibition space - an exhibition from the museum collection on the occasion that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the The Women's Day Off on October 24 1975 which was a monumental moment in Icelandic (women's) history.

The Women's Day Off October 24 1975