ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the relationship between Iceland's gender equality legislation and the importance of a feminist approach in the preparatory phases of such legislation in parliament. It highlights the gap between the gender-neutral character of Iceland's equality legislation the exception to this being the 1991 Act on Equal Status and Equal Rights of Women and Men, which was highly influenced by the Women's Alliance in the Icelandic parliament and women's realities on the ground. A closely related theme that is examined in the chapter is what can be described as a lack of progressive use, application, and interpretation of Iceland's gender equality legislation and the need for more effective enforcement. The way in which the various Gender Equality Acts have been enforced is crucial when it comes to evaluating the potential of Iceland's equality legislation. The focus is on three issues that might be described as being currently emphasized in Iceland's gender equality legislation and much debated within the country.
