Dear Activist,

Experts say it will take 40 years for the divide between women and men’s rights to close, specifically the gender pay gap. The gender pay gap is the typical difference between the compensation for working men and women. More often than not, women are regarded to be paid less than men.

Carl Welcker, a politician and elected member of the Frankfurt Parliament, expressed the following views in 1848: “Nature has created men and women to carry out different functions. Man, the stronger, the bolder and freer of the two, has been designated as protector of the family, its provider, meant for public tasks in the domain of law, production, defense. Women, the weaker, dependent and timid, require the protection of man. Her sphere is the home, the care of the children, the nurturing of the family. Do we require any further proof that given such differences, equality between the sexes would endanger harmony and destroy the dignity of the family?” His words are still present in international society.

History of the Gender Pay Gap

The gender wage gap is inextricably linked to the history of labor in the United States. From depriving Black women of their wages under slavery, creating lasting disparities in health, education, and opportunities for Native women, and establishing legal and cultural limitations on women’s ability to earn money, the nation’s story is replete with gender disparities and its consequences.

From the very beginning of civilization and revolutions, women were active participants in various events. The French Revolution acts as a worthwhile example. During the reign of the revolutionary government in France, together with the creation of state schools, schooling was made compulsory for all girls. Women could train for jobs, become artists, or run small businesses; however, this did not continue for long. Movements for equal wages continued throughout the next two centuries in many countries of the world.

Pay Gap Statistics

When women step out of their home to have better futures for themselves and their families, there are a lot of barriers. Most times, women give the same or greater amount of effort and time to a job. That being said, her physical strength is questioned, her emotional power is undervalued, and her work and success are not taken seriously. When facing pregnancy, health emergencies, or family issues, the woman’s salary is cut off. Ultimately, those setbacks compel her to sacrifice her job for her own well-being or sacrifice her endeavors to support her family.

Male-dominated workspaces tend to have higher wages than occupations consisting of female workers. In comparing professions with at least 50,000 men and 50,000 women in 2017, 107 out of 114 had notable pay gaps that favored men; six occupations had no vital gap, and one had a gap favoring women, according to Pew Research Center. In some occupations, women are earning billions less than they would with equal pay. For instance, women working as physicians and surgeons are paid $19 billion less annually than if they were paid the same as men in that occupation.

The gender income gap has remained an issue in the United States over the past 15 years. In 2020, women gained 84% of what men were paid, according to the Pew Research Center analysis. In recent decades, women aged between 25 to 34 earned 93 cents for every dollar a man earned on average. Based on this data, it would take an extra 42 days of work for women to earn what men have received.

Activate Change

Excuses are merely excuses. Society has controlled aspects of women’s lives that cannot go unnoticed. Society has barred women from certain levels of education, restricted them from certain jobs, and silenced them into giving in to unjust rules. Nevertheless, we must enact change to promote equality. We must acknowledge these issues and move forward by pressing for equal pay and employment opportunities.

• Write to your legislatures to increase the minimum wage. This impacts all low-wage workers and can lift women out of poverty.
• Encourage businesses to create a balance between work and life. The European Institute for Gender Equality claims that this could help shrink the wage gap.
• Overcome the biases that degrade women and their potential in the workforce. You can break these misconceptions through social media, posters, and discussions.
• Watch Zara Nanu’s Ted Talk relating to the gender pay gap and how to increase women’s employment opportunities.
• Divide the labor in the domestic sphere. By balancing the work in the home, there will also be a balance in the workplace.
• Donate to organizations, including the Equal Rights Advocates, who fight for gender justice in the workforce.

Respect your female counterparts, spread awareness, and get engaged in this noble initiative towards equal pay. Create more job opportunities that do not seek gender differences. Let your workspace be the safest place for women. Reading articles, watching webinars, and expanding your knowledge of employment opportunities for women are other ways to pay your part in the movement towards gender equality.

Kind regards,

Kanishka Kataria