Meeting with MsEyglóHaroardóttir, Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Welfare, Reykjavik

The next meeting in Iceland was with MsEyglóHarðardóttir, Minister of Social Affairs and Housing Ministry of Welfare. MsEyglóHarðardóttir Member of Althingi for the South Constituency 2008-2013 and for the Southwest Constituency since 2013.

MsHarðardóttir made a presentation to the FLO members sharing the socio- economic and political development of women in Iceland. She shared the history, the struggle and the proud

fact that Iceland is the top ranker according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2014.She made a presentation on how women are represented in the parliament.

She informed the visiting delegates thatin Iceland, both parents get paternity leaves. The law is such a success that Iceland recently went a few steps further with a 5-2-5 policy: Mothers and fathers will soon each be entitled to five months of non-transferable leave, with an additional two months of shared leave. The reform is good news for gender equality in Iceland.

Her presentation was followed by a few questions by the visiting FLO members.

Ms. Archana Garodia Gupta, President FLO spoke extempore about FLO and the kind of activities that it undertakes to empower women. She presented FLO literature to the Minister, which included the annual report, 150 Successful stories of grass root women entrepreneurs and the prized possession of FLO, Laws Affecting women in India.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks and handing over of our token of appreciation to MsEyglóHarðardóttir, Minister of Social Affairs and Housing Ministry of Welfare and MsElínÁgústaSigurgeirsdóttir our contact person.