Web Desk:International Equal Pay Day is being observed today (Wednesday).
The day represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value.
The theme of the day this year is “Need to Eliminate Wage Discrimination”.
Every year on September 18 International Equal Pay Day is celebrated. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the gender pay gap that persists globally.
Despite decades of activism, the gap remains a major issue for gender equality. On average, women earn about 20% less than men for the same work.
This disparity arises from a complex mix of factors, including occupational segregation, different levels of education or experience, and entrenched gender stereotypes.
However, a significant portion of the gap is attributed to discrimination based on gender itself, highlighting the need for robust policy interventions and cultural change.
Gender Pay Gap, A Global Issue
The gender pay gap is a global issue, and its magnitude varies across regions and sectors.
In some industries, the gap is wider due to male-dominated roles in higher-paying sectors like finance and technology, while women are over represented in lower-paying sectors such as healthcare, education, and domestic work.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), women are more likely to be employed in part-time or informal work, further limiting their earning potential. Additionally, women bear the brunt of unpaid care work, performing on average 2.5 times more of this labor than men, which severely limits their time and opportunities for formal employment.
Globally, progress toward closing the gender pay gap has been slow. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report in 2023 showed that the gap between men and women has only slightly improved in recent years, and it is estimated that it will take an astounding 131 years to achieve full parity if current trends continue.
Although some countries have made advancements, particularly through legislation and pay transparency measures, the pandemic exacerbated the gap by disproportionately affecting women’s employment and economic opportunities.
Addressing the Pay Gap
Efforts to close the gender pay gap have gained traction in many parts of the world. Increasingly, governments, corporations, and international organizations are recognizing the importance of achieving pay equality, not only as a matter of justice but as a driver for economic growth.
The economic benefits of closing the gender pay gap are well-documented. Research indicates that gender equality in the workforce could add as much as $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. Countries are adopting various strategies to tackle the pay gap.
For example, Iceland became the first country to require companies to prove they are paying men and women equally. Companies that fail to demonstrate pay parity face fines. Similarly, the European Union has taken steps to require greater pay transparency, mandating that companies disclose salary information to reduce wage discrimination.
One key solution being implemented globally is pay transparency. Pay transparency measures compel employers to share information about salary ranges, making it easier to identify and rectify wage discrepancies. According to the International Labour Organization, when such measures are well-implemented, they can significantly reduce the pay gap and ensure fairer compensation for women. However, challenges remain, as many industries and countries are still in the early stages of adopting these reforms.
Reaching Equal Pay
Addressing the gender pay gap requires concerted efforts across all sectors. Governments, businesses, and civil society organizations must work together to enact meaningful reforms.
Organizations like the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), a coalition of governments, employers, workers, and civil society organizations, are working globally to support these initiatives and push for gender pay parity.
For businesses, adopting gender-inclusive policies is not only ethical but also a business imperative. Gender-diverse companies are proven to outperform those with less diversity.
They benefit from a broader range of ideas, innovation, and decision-making perspectives, leading to stronger financial performance.
This has led to an increasing number of CEOs and business leaders committing to equal pay initiatives and introducing policies such as paid parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and subsidized childcare.
International Equal Pay Day serves as a reminder of the persistent inequalities that women face in the workforce and the long road ahead to achieving pay equity.
The wage gap is not just a women’s issue; it affects entire families, communities, and economies. Closing the gender pay gap will require systemic changes at all levels— from legal reforms and corporate policies to shifts in societal attitudes and gender norms.
As we move forward, “It takes the effort of the entire world community and more work remains to be done.
The United Nations, including UN Women and the International Labour Organization (ILO) invites Members states and civil society, women’s and community-based organizations, and feminist groups, as well as businesses and workers’ and employers’ organizations, to promote equal pay for work of equal value and the economic empowerment of women and girls
