Iceland has recently implemented a law requiring companies with at least 25 employees to pay all employees, both men and women equally, becoming the first country in the world to legally implement this type of legislation.

Though Iceland has had an equal pay laws in place for decades, this new legislation now holds companies legally accountable by undergoing a government mandated audit and obtaining approved certification. The gender economic gap is a systematic global issue affecting women in nearly all industries and all countries. Iceland has not only recognized the seriousness of this issue but is taking active legislative measures to enact change and establish a global precedent. Moreover, Iceland has been ranked the most gender-equal country by the WEF (World Economic Forum) for the last 9 years.

However, Iceland's efforts towards more gender-equal policies is no coincidence and can be credited to the nation's increased representation of women in legislation. Along with their newly elected female Prime Minister, Katrin Jakobsdottir, Iceland's Parliament is made up of nearly 50%women, contrastingly different from the 20% women who make up the US Congress.

Now more than ever, there has been increased conversation and action taken involving the equality of women worldwide.

In our globalizing economy, women are realizing that we are all working towards the same goal, and our voices and actions are more powerful together.

Icelandic officials have stated their steadfast commitment to closing the gender gap entirely in their country by 2022. Through this legislation, Iceland has made both national and global history, taking the right steps to tackle this important and ongoing issue.

Well done, Iceland, well done.