I dare, I can, and I want it

I dare, I can, and I want it

Fifty years ago, on October 24, 1975, the most important feminist revolution of the modern era began. The country, Iceland, is small, but what matters is the symbol.

Before that date, women in that country were treated like those in any other European country and the rest of the world: they counted for nothing! Their life trajectory was designed from birth: learn to do all the household chores, get married, have children, take care of their husband, children, and parents, and keep quiet.

That revolution, which began with a general strike by all the country's women, forced male citizens to realize the importance of women in their daily lives, both in the public and private spheres. The following years saw a shift in the status quo that not only led to women holding the highest positions in the state, but also to a growing awareness, even among men, of the magnitude of the problem.

Today, the government of that country is advancing the seventh gender equality program, focused on four key dimensions:

- Education

- Health and Care

- Environment and

- Peace and Security.

Problems still exist, but there is no doubt that Iceland today is profoundly different, and better, from that of before 1975 and, above all, that the next steps will be the result of struggles, both from above and below, where women and even enlightened men will fight together.

What matters, as I said at the beginning, is the symbol: changing centuries-old patriarchal structures will take time and a lot of strength, but it can be done.

The battle cry of that October 24th remains more relevant than ever, for both women and men who accept the challenge of building a different world:

I dare, I can, and I want it!