New Delhi, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : Observed annually on September 18, International Equal Pay Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to secure equal pay for equal work. Globally, women earn approximately 20% less than men, a statistic that reflects the struggles of millions of women whose work supports families, businesses, communities, and economies yet remains undervalued.
This day highlights the United Nations’ commitment to human rights and the fight against discrimination faced by women and girls. The gender wage gap is a persistent issue that begins with unequal division of labor at home and extends into the job market, where women often encounter barriers to the same opportunities as men. This leads to significant disparities in employment participation rates, unemployment levels, and access to decision-making roles.
Data indicates that regardless of educational qualifications, women are often concentrated in lower-paying jobs or sectors, while men dominate higher-paying industries and leadership positions. According to the United Nations, women globally earn about 78 cents for every dollar earned by men.
The enduring wage disparity is not only a violation of fundamental human rights but also poses a major economic concern. Reducing the gender wage gap could unlock the full potential of the female workforce, contributing to economic growth. With women and girls making up half of the world’s population, their potential is equally significant. Thus, gender equality is not just a human right but also essential for peaceful societies, human development, and sustainable progress.
The United Nations has supported women’s rights since its inception. One of the key objectives in its founding charter is to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination based on race, gender, language, or religion. Within its first year, the UN established a commission on the status of women, dedicated to global policy-making for gender equality and women’s advancement. One of its early achievements was ensuring gender-neutral language in the draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that, at the current rate of progress, it will take 257 years to completely eliminate the global gender wage gap. Nevertheless, the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) is actively working towards achieving equal pay for women and men worldwide.
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