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Bridging the Global Gender Gap in Workspaces and Equal Pay


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The India Observer, TIO:  A Call to Action on International Women’s Day 2024

As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, it is crucial to shed light on one of the most pressing issues faced by women worldwide: the gender pay gap. Despite significant progress, this gap persists across the globe, hindering women’s economic empowerment and global development.

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A recent World Bank report revealed that no country treats working women equally to men. The gender gap in the workforce is wider than ever before, with no country offering women the same opportunities as men. Reducing this gap could increase the world GDP by over 20%. It’s time to take action and support working women. Globally, women earn approximately 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, with the magnitude of the gender pay gap varying significantly across regions.

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Developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, although champions of gender equality movements, still grapple with significant pay disparities. Even in high-income countries, women face considerable pay disparities due to glass ceilings, occupational segregation, and the burden of unpaid care work. It’s time to close this gap and support working women worldwide.

Despite global efforts to promote gender equality, deeply ingrained societal attitudes and expectations continue to hinder progress. To achieve sustainable pay parity, we must challenge traditional perceptions of gender roles. It’s important to note that significant pay disparities can occur even in the absence of discriminatory hiring practices. For example, women may apply for positions with lower salaries despite being treated fairly.

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While 95 nations have passed laws about equal pay, only 35 have policies in place to guarantee wage disparity is closed. The World Bank has reported significant legal reform improvements in sub-Saharan African nations, but implementation gaps remain. Closing the childcare gap could increase women’s participation in the labor force by 1%. However, less than half of the countries provide financial assistance or tax breaks to parents of small children, and less than a third have childcare quality standards in place. This lack of support affects women’s ability to balance work and family responsibilities. Additionally, pension payments for women do not consider time away from work due to childcare in 81 nations. We must address these gaps to ensure gender equality in the workplace.

Addressing the gender pay gap is not just a women’s issue; it is a matter of social justice and human rights. To achieve socioeconomic transformation, we need collective action from governments, organizations, and individuals. Policies that promote transparency, equal opportunity, and workplace equality are essential to address this pressing issue.

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Here are some ways we can tackle the gender pay gap:

  1. Enhancing Legislative Measures: Governments must enact and enforce legislation that promotes pay transparency, bolsters anti-discrimination measures, and encourages gender diversity in leadership positions.
  2. Fostering Workplace Equality: Organizations must prioritize gender inclusivity by implementing unbiased recruitment and promotion practices, offering flexible work arrangements, and providing equal access to career development opportunities.
  3. Redistributing Unpaid Care Work: Both public and private sectors should collaboratively work towards sharing the burden of unpaid care work, supporting initiatives such as subsidized childcare, parental leave, and flexible work arrangements.
  4. Education and Awareness: It is crucial to educate individuals from a young age about gender equality, dispelling stereotypes, and fostering a mindset that values equal pay and a way for equal work.

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As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, let us pledge to create a future where gender-based pay disparities are relics of the past. By addressing this discrepancy head-on, we foster environments of true equality, empowering women across the globe, and fostering a more prosperous and inclusive world for all.

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Edited By Adam Rizvi

Curated and Compiled by Humra Kidwai

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Maham Abbasi

Maham Abbasi is currently pursuing Public Relations at the York University in Canada. She holds a Master's Degree in Women's Studies from the Aligarh Muslim University, India. Maham is a feminist at heart who revels in critiquing gendered societal constructs, she has been working on Period Poverty and Women's Health and Leadership through her projects, The No Shame and Aykaa Home Decor. She likes to wear different caps in her professional life and works extensively for women’s rights and issues.

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