Iceland women still fighting for equality

Iceland: Top for equality but still 'needs to do more'

ImageShop worker Svanhilden Hjaltadottir says Icelandic women are independent "like Vikings"

It is not often that Iceland comes top of the global rankings in anything.

So when they do score a significant victory they announce it from the rooftops.

Few of us will forget the hilarious, ear-splitting screams of the Icelandic commentator at the European football championships this summer, communicating his delight at Iceland's victory over England.

Jubilant does not quite do it justice.

As part of the BBC's 100 Women series, I have come to Iceland to find out why this country is considered the best place to live and work as a woman.

Viking heritage

It appears women's independence in Iceland has ancient roots.

I meet Svanhilden Hjaltadottir behind the till manning (or should it be womanning?) one of the many trendy gift stores in Reykjavik.

"We are like Vikings", she laughs. "We are strong and we like to do things on our own".

IMAGESImageIceland has the highest proportion of women in its workforce

Anyone you chat to here in Reykjavik knows exactly where Iceland sits in the Global Gender Gap Index put together by the World Economic Forum - and it has been number one for a good few years.

The UK meanwhile languishes in 20th place.

There are a number of factors that make up Iceland's top global ranking. For instance, at 88% it has the highest rate of female participation in the workforce.

For 20 of the last 50 years the country has had a female head of state, 40% of company board members now have to be women - the impressive list of chart-topping statistics goes on.