On average, women globally are paid about 20 per cent less than men, the International Labour (ILO) Organization said on Sunday, International Equal Pay Day.
While individual characteristics such as education, working time, occupational segregation, skills, or experience explain part of the gender pay gap, ILO says that a large part is due to discrimination based on one’s gender or sex.
Further building on the UN’s commitment against all forms of discrimination, including that against women and girls, Equal Pay Day represents longstanding efforts towards achieving the same wage for work of equal value.
Women hardest hit
Meanwhile, women have been among the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including in terms of income security, representation in sectors hardest hit, and gendered division of family responsibilities.
This, in turn, has led negatively impacted their employment and threatened to reverse decades of progress made towards gender equality.
As countries emerge from the pandemic, taking action to address gender equality setbacks is not only relevant and timely but also critical for an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient recovery.
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EPIC: Can pay transparency measures help reduce the gender pay gap?
Closing the gap
Governments, employers, and workers organizations recognize that closing gender pay gaps is more important than ever.
Over the past few years, increasingly more governments are proposing transparency measures and information sharing to address gender wage gaps.
According to recent research, depending on how they are put into place, pay transparency measures can effectively identify compensation differences and reduce broader gender inequalities in the labour market.
“These are still early days for pay transparency,” said Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO Conditions of Work and Equality Department, noting that countries are pursuing different approaches to advance it.
She pointed out that “there is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution”.
“While more time is needed to assess the effectiveness of the different measures and practices, it is encouraging that Governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations seek to devise innovative solutions, such as pay transparency, to tackle a stubborn problem”.
Surprising facts
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Women are concentrated in lower-paid, lower-skill work.
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For every dollar men earn, women earn 77 cents.
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Women are under-represented in decision-making roles.
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Women carry out at least 2.5 times more unpaid work than men.
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At the current rate, it will take 257 years to close the global gender pay gap.
Garrett is a skilled author driven by a desire to illuminate global issues through his writing. With a foundation in journalism and international relations, he offers a distinctive viewpoint in his work, exploring the complexities of geopolitical events in depth.
Do you think the initiatives mentioned in the article will be enough to close the gender pay gap worldwide?
As someone who has been following global workforce trends closely, I believe the initiatives highlighted in the article are steps in the right direction. However, closing the gender pay gap worldwide will require sustained efforts, policy changes, and societal shifts towards recognizing the equal value of all work. It’s a complex issue that demands comprehensive solutions and continued commitment from all stakeholders.
It’s high time we finally closed that gender pay gap! Women deserve equal pay for equal work, and it’s unacceptable that discrimination based on gender still plays a significant role in this issue. It’s not just about individual characteristics; it’s about ensuring fairness and equality in the workplace. As we strive to recover from the impact of the pandemic, addressing gender equality setbacks must be a top priority for a sustainable and inclusive future.
It’s about time we close that gender pay gap! It’s unjust that women are consistently paid less than men for the same work. Discrimination based on gender or sex has no place in our society, and it’s high time we take concrete actions to ensure equal pay for equal work. Let’s support initiatives like Equal Pay Day to move closer towards true gender equality in the workforce!
Women have long been unjustly paid less than men for the same work. It’s time to close the gender pay gap once and for all and ensure equal pay for equal work. Women’s economic empowerment is essential for a fair and just society.
It’s high time we put an end to this unjust gender pay gap! Women deserve to be paid equally for their work, and it’s appalling that discriminatory practices still persist in the workforce. Addressing these inequalities is crucial for creating a fair and inclusive society. Let’s continue to push for equal pay and level the playing field for everyone.
It’s crucial that we continue to push for closing the gender pay gap to ensure fair treatment and opportunities for all. Women should be valued equally for their work and contributions, and it’s time for organizations to prioritize pay equity.
It’s high time we decisively eliminate that gender pay gap! Women around the world are consistently being paid about 20 percent less than men, as highlighted by the International Labour Organization’s recent statement on International Equal Pay Day. While various factors like education and skills play a role in the pay gap, a significant portion stems from gender-based discrimination. Building on the UN’s stand against discrimination, Equal Pay Day is a step towards realizing fair wages for work of equal value. Unfortunately, women have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis, facing challenges in income security, representation in hard-hit industries, and unequal family responsibilities. These issues have jeopardized their jobs and jeopardized the progress made towards gender parity. As we navigate post-pandemic recovery, it is imperative to address these setbacks promptly for a sustainable and inclusive future.
As a woman in the workforce, I believe it’s high time to bridge the gender pay gap. Discrimination should have no place in determining one’s salary. Women’s contributions are as valuable as men’s, and it’s crucial to achieve equal pay for equal work. Let’s work towards a fairer and more inclusive future for all.
It is absolutely crucial that we take concrete steps to close the gender pay gap once and for all. The fact that women are still paid less than men in the 21st century is unacceptable. Discrimination based on gender has no place in our society, and it’s time to ensure equal pay for equal work.
It is about time we tackle this gender pay gap issue once and for all. Women are consistently undervalued and underpaid compared to their male counterparts, and it’s high time this discrimination ends. The statistics mentioned in the article only highlight the tip of the iceberg – there are deep-rooted systemic issues that need to be addressed to achieve true gender equality in wages. Let’s all join hands to bridge this divide and create a fairer society for everyone.
It’s crucial that we prioritize closing the gender pay gap to ensure equality and fairness in our society. The statistics clearly show the stark disparity in wages between men and women, and it’s high time we take concrete steps to address this issue. Discrimination based on gender has no place in the modern world, and it’s up to all of us to advocate for change and demand equal pay for equal work.
It’s time to finally close that gender pay gap! While individual characteristics play a role in the wage difference, a significant part stems from unjust discrimination based on gender. Building on UN efforts, Equal Pay Day signifies the ongoing battle for wage equality. Women have borne the brunt of the pandemic, facing challenges in income security and work sectors, risking setbacks in gender equality progress. Addressing these issues is crucial for a fair and sustainable recovery.