ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explores the Icelandic reaction to #MeToo by placing it within the context of the women’s movement in Iceland. She argues that the #MeToo movement represents a historical break by its success in creating cross-sectional and intergenerational platforms for women’s activism through social media and other venues. It can be described, she suggests, as a form of intersectionalist feminist resistance, whereby the individual is merged with the collective in an effort to counter oppression on the basis of shared experiences. Yet, despite being viewed by many as a gender equality utopia, she stresses that Iceland is no exception when it comes to sexual violence against women, pointing out that intimate partner violence remains a major structural problem. Moreover, the Icelandic #MeToo movement has failed to integrate certain marginalised social groups, such as women with disabilities or of foreign descent. The argument is made, however, that through mass mobilisation, #MeToo has contributed significantly to societal awareness of the need to view the struggle against sexual violence in systemic terms and that it is set to have a lasting political impact in Iceland.
