Gender pay parity? It’s 257 years away!

Inequality is a parasite that feeds on the very fabric of society. It thrives on disparities in income, education, and opportunities by eroding trust and fostering division. The pay-wage disparity is one such parasite that is consistently disseminating its poisonous effects in society. Its parasitic nature not only undermines social cohesion but also hampers economic growth and human potential. Therefore, International Equal Pay Day is recognised by the United Nations with the theme of “longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work”. This day is commemorated every year on September 18 with the goal of shedding light on the ongoing struggle for wage equality across the globe. International Equal Pay Day serves as a reminder of the challenges women face in their pursuit of fair compensation for their work. 

While the topic is often accompanied by a plethora of verity and statistics, let’s look at some of the facts about pay wage disparity in the world:

• According to the United Nations, in the context of work of equal worth, women earn only 77 cents for each dollar earned by men. 

This isn’t just a statistic but a poignant reflection of a deeply ingrained injustice that lingers in our society. It’s a testament to the battles that still need to be fought on the global level to achieve women’s empowerment. 

• In South Asia, women without children experience a 14% pay gap, while women with children face a higher disparity of 35%. 

In a world where being a mother is certainly the most strenuous task, the pay-wage disparity makes the path even more treacherous and echoes the volume of the constant hurdles faced by women to abide by their ambitions.

While these statistics represent a global perspective, let’s look at the situation in India. 

• According to an article by The Economic Times dated April 2, 2023, themed gender pay gap, the research by IIM Ahmedabad indicates that senior women professionals in India earn just Rs 85 for every Rs 100 earned by their male counterparts in equivalent positions.
  
• According to an article by The Wire published on April 25, 2023, out of all the G20 countries, India stands at the highest bar with 48.1 percent in terms of gender pay wage disparity. 

While the G20 Summit 2023 held in New Delhi is a source of pride for every citizen of the country, the statistics provided by the International Labor Organisation reveal a disconcerting and worrisome aspect behind the seemingly golden event.

While the topic is accompanied by statistics and numbers, it’s essential to recognise the broader aspect of the problem that lies in the fundamental ideology of a patriarchal society. The primary responsibility for addressing this issue rests in the hands of the young generation or the youth of our world who need to confront and challenge the stereotypes in order to set this world free from the biases and inequalities prevailing in our lives. 

An analytical report by Forbes in 2023 states that “At the current rate, it is estimated that it will take 257 years to close the gender pay gap”. This statement is conclusive enough to understand the prevailing circumstances around the issue and justifies the need for concerted actions from the government, businesses, and society.

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Many countries such as USA and Australia have started working towards the resolution of the problem by marking headlines related to them in recent times but to actually resolve this problem the powers need to coalesce and work towards a better future. In order to create a better and fair place for each and every human the world must adhere and comprehend to the statement that US President Joe Biden recently tweeted.

“Equal pay for equal work. It’s common sense. It’s also overdue. Let’s close the gap and let’s do it now.”