Over 500 people from 80 different countries participated in the recently concluded Reykjavk Global Forum, which the Icelandic government and Parliament hosted. This vibrant forum provided a platform for addressing important global issues and promoting women's empowerment.
I had the honor of being a member of a diverse delegation representing RepresentWomen at the forum, under the leadership of Susannah Wellford, a Running Start alum. The forum commenced with an insightful tour of Iceland's Parliament, where women occupy 48 percent of seats, setting the stage for discussions on women's leadership.
Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir and her female colleagues opened the forum, sharing experiences of working together despite policy differences. The Reykjavík Index for Leadership was highlighted, revealing that most G7 countries have seen stagnant or declining scores in the perception of women's leadership since 2018.
The forum's focus on action included the Reykjavík Action Items presented by Christy Tanner. These strategic initiatives—equal pay, equal representation, equal parental leave, and ending gender-based violence—provide a roadmap to transform data into tangible outcomes, crucial for building women's political power.
Further, Silvana Koch-Mehrin introduced Representation Matters, a new initiative from Women Political Leaders (WPL). This initiative emphasizes the imperative of women's representation and leadership across all sectors, acknowledging the ongoing need to justify why women's leadership matters in today's generation.
Addressing the uncertain progress toward sustainable development goals for gender, Michelle Milford Morse led a panel discussion on overcoming barriers to global gender equality. The strategies discussed included the importance of increasing women's representation and leadership in political spheres.
A panel on retaining women's power, featuring Laura Liswood and former women presidents, highlighted the qualities—humor, resilience, courage, and passion—that sustain women leaders. The sentiment that "women are like snowflakes; one alone may melt, but together we can stop traffic" resonated, emphasizing the strength found in unity.
The forum concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating the women who organized the 2023 women's strike in Reykjavik and paying tribute to those who led the original strike in 1975. The occasion highlighted the shared commitment to advancing gender equality and showed the strength of a global community coming together for a common cause.
In moving forward, it is essential to examine successful strategies from countries like Iceland to address barriers in both the private and public sectors. The momentum sparked at the Reykjavík Global Forum serves as a reminder of the importance of community and collective efforts in turning action items into global realities. Through shared dedication, we can strive for representative, equitable, empowered, and resilient democracies worldwide.