Our foremothers baked a better society and laid the foundation for the welfare system and the women’s rights movement
The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies (Kvenfélagasamband Íslands-KÍ) was founded on February 1st, 1930, and operates as an umbrella organization for women’s and charitable societies throughout the country. On its 80th anniversary in 2010, the founding date, February 1st, was designated as „Women’s Society Member Day.“ Within KÍ, there are 17 regional associations with about 135 women’s societies.
The goal of establishing The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies was to provide a platform for cooperation and a voice for the country’s women’s societies.
The foundation for the establishment of The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies was a strong desire among women to have an influence in society; together they would be stronger in promoting the causes they were passionate about. Education, healthcare, hygiene, household efficiency, savings, children’s education, land cultivation, continuing education, mutual aid, and much more were what women’s society members wanted to achieve. This journey began with the founding of the Rípurhreppur Women’s Society in 1869, which is still active. The Icelandic Women’s Society was founded in 1894, and its goals included increasing women’s rights. Women’s suffrage and their education are thanks to the struggle of the organized women’s movement, the Icelandic Women’s Rights Association, and the women’s societies. The societies have also emphasized women’s financial independence but also laid the foundation for the welfare system we have today, for example, by establishing health insurance funds and support funds for poor single mothers, as well as fundraising for the National University Hospital of Iceland along with other women’s organizations.
Throughout the decades, The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies and its members have contributed to many causes. These include health issues, child-rearing, humanitarian aid, equality, employment and wage issues, and cultivation and environmental issues.
Every year, the women’s societies donate tens, if not hundreds, of millions to charities, education, and healthcare institutions across the country. These funds are often raised by selling baked goods and various handicrafts. It can therefore truly be said that together, the women’s societies have baked a better society.
The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies was one of the many women’s organizations that participated in organizing the Women’s Day Off in 1975 and has been one of its supporters ever since. The extensive network of women’s societies throughout the country has been very useful when seeking solidarity among women.
Today, The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies operates a service office in Kvennaheimilið Hallveigarstaðir, the building that women raised funds for and built, and which they run together with the Icelandic Women’s Rights Association and BKR. There, information, advice, and education are provided to the women’s societies. Women’s societies within KÍ participate in international cooperation among women’s society members and collaborate with various other non-governmental organizations to achieve their goals.
Húsfreyjan is a magazine published by The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies; the first issue was released in 1949 and it has been published four times a year since. The Home Economics Advisory Centre was founded by KÍ in 1967.
The latest project of The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies and the women’s societies is „Loneliness Week,“ which was held in early October 2025.
The values of The Federation of Icelandic Women’s Societies in Iceland and many women’s societies are Compassion – Cooperation – Respect
The President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, is the patron of KÍ.