Since the first Gender Equality Act was passed in 1976, Icelandic schools have been required to educate students about gender equality and to prepare both boys and girls for equal participation in family life and the labour market.The current Act on Equal Status and Equal Rights of Women and Men sets clear rules in this area.

Education and School Activities

In education and upbringing, the following requirements apply:

• Gender equality and gender mainstreaming must be integrated into all policy making and planning, including in after‑school programmes, sports, and leisure activities.

  • gender stereotypes

  • gendered educational and career choices

  • issues concerning disabled people

  • issues concerning LGBTQ+ people

Students at all school levels must receive age‑appropriate education on equality and gender studies. This includes:

• Teaching and learning materials

  must be designed so that no gender is disadvantaged.

• Career counselling and guidance

  must provide students with equal access to information about all occupations, regardless of gender.

Duties of the Ministry of Education and Children

The Ministry is responsible for:

• Supporting research on the status of women and men in Icelandic society, including both basic academic research and applied research, and ensuring that results are communicated systematically within the school system and to the media.

• Monitoring that gender equality is upheld in all educational and upbringing activities, including in after‑school centres and in sports and leisure programmes.

• Monitoring the development of gender equality within these areas of society.

• Ensuring that an Equality Advisor works within the Ministry. The advisor:

  • oversees the implementation of these legal requirements

  • provides guidance to relevant stakeholders

  • supports targeted measures aimed at promoting gender equality

Duties of School Administrators

Employers and leaders in institutions, associations, and sports and youth organisations must:

• Take specific measures to prevent gender‑based violence, gender‑based harassment, and sexual harassment against employees, students, and service users in workplaces, institutions, community activities, and schools.

• Ensure a safe working and learning environment where such behaviour is not tolerated.

• If a supervisor is accused of gender‑based violence, gender‑based harassment, or sexual harassment, that person is disqualified from making decisions regarding the complainant’s working conditions while the case is being processed. In such cases, the next supervisor in line must take over decision‑making responsibilities.