No doubt, we have established so much equality among men and women in every field compared to the last decade. But what if I tell you that there is still one area where this equality remains? That is PAY RATE.
Yes, you read it right. Despite years of progress, women still earn significantly less than men in 2024. This shocking reality shows how far we still have to go in achieving workplace equality.
Globally, women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. Across all regions, women are paid less than men, with the gender pay gap estimated at around 20 per cent globally.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently ranked India at 135 out of 146 countries in its Global Gender Gap (GGG) Index for 2022. According to the World Inequality Report 2022 estimates, men earn 82% of the labour income in India, whereas women earn 18%.
While women at the individual contributor level earn only 2.2% less than men working in similar roles, the gap widens to 3.1% for managers/supervisors and 4.9-6.1% for directors and senior executives roles.
These gaps exist even if both men and women have similar roles, responsibilities, qualifications, and dedication.
Let's discuss this topic in more detail and understand what we can do to minimize this bias.
“ We need to stop buying into the myth about gender equality. It isn't a reality yet.” - Beyonce
Why do we need to discuss this issue?
The gender pay gap doesn’t just affect women but also their families, economies, and society as a whole. When women earn less, their spending power decreases and they have less financial security.
This issue is particularly worrying for single mothers, who rely solely on their income to support their families.
The gender pay gap also deepens social inequalities. When women are paid less for equal work, it signifies that their contributions are less valuable and demotivates young girls to pursue their dream careers.
These consequences make it clear that the gender pay gap isn’t just a paycheck issue—it’s a problem that affects us all.
The Current State of the Gender Pay Gap in 2024
The gender pay gap remains a major issue worldwide in 2024. And it's more often in industries and countries that claim to prioritize gender equality.
For example the tech sector. Although it made tremendous innovations till now the opportunities for women in this sector are yet fewer. Women hold only 25% of tech jobs globally, and even when they do, their pay often lags behind that of their male colleagues.
The pay gap also varies based on country and race:
- In the U.S., Women earn 83 ¢ for every $1 earned by men. Vermont has the smallest pay gap, while Wyoming has the largest.
- In the UK, women earn 7.7% less per hour than men, with London showing the widest gaps.
- Canada reports women earning 89 cents to every dollar men earn, with racialized women earning as low as 59.3%.
- Australia's gender pay gap stands at 21.7%, with industries like construction showing gaps of over 30%.
- In India, The average monthly salary for an Indian male was rs. 20,666, while it was rs.15,722.25 for a female.
- The wage gap for Black and Hispanic women is wider than the gap between white, and non-Hispanic women at 79 cents per dollar.
However, some industries and organizations are taking steps to address this inequality.
So in one word, we can say that The current state of the gender pay gap in this developing country is a mix of progress and persistence.
Why the Gender Pay Gap Lies
The gender pay gap isn’t just about unfair pay—it’s about the causes rooted in our society that have built up over time.
One of the biggest reasons is societal and cultural norms. Even today, In many parts of India, traditional gender roles still expect women to be dependent on their husbands financially and prioritize family over their careers. Due to this, the housewives were unable to do any job and the working women were unable to give much time and effort to their job, limiting their access to promotions.
Another major factor is occupational segregation. Women are often told to go towards lower-paying industries like caregiving, teaching, or hospitality, while men dominate higher-paying fields like technology, engineering, and finance. And we all know the pay range of these two types of industries.
These root causes of the gender pay gap show how deep and systemic the problem is. It’s about societal structures and attitudes that need to change to create true equality.
Solutions to Close this Gap
Closing the gender pay gap will take effort from everyone in the society.
- Policy changes:
One of the most effective ways to tackle the gender pay gap is through policy changes. Governments should introduce laws that mandate companies to disclose their salary ranges for all positions.
Childcare and paid parental leave policies are also essential to help both women and men balance family responsibilities without sacrificing the career growth of anyone.
- Education and Awareness:
We must encourage more women to pursue higher-paying, traditionally male-dominated fields like technology, engineering, and finance. Schools and universities should offer scholarships, mentorships, and career guidance to help women enter these industries.
At the same time, society must continue to challenge stereotypes and promote the idea that women are just as capable as men in leadership and high-tech roles.
- Workplace changes:
Companies should offer Flexible working hours and remote work opportunities for women which help them balance both work with caregiving responsibilities.
Companies should also create more mentorship and leadership programs that focus on empowering women which leads to their promotion.
- Encouraging Men To Participate:
The fight for pay equity requires the active involvement of men. Men in leadership roles should raise their voices for equal pay and mentorship for their female colleagues.
At home, Men should also share the responsibility for unpaid care work, making it easier for women to balance work and home life. When men are involved equally, the movement becomes stronger and more widespread.
These solutions offer a roadmap to closing the gender pay gap. By implementing these changes, we can work toward a future where pay is truly based on skills and qualifications, not gender.
Conclusion
The gender pay gap is a persistent issue that impacts not only women but the global economy and society as well. The root causes of this inequality—such as cultural norms, limiting career fields for women, household responsibility, and ability discrimination—continue to affect women’s earning potential and limit their opportunities for advancement.
It will take collective effort from governments, businesses, and individuals to create the structural changes needed to achieve true pay equity. The time for change is now, and the power to make it happen lies in our hands.
Reference
1. https://www.kelphr.com/blogs/gender-pay-gap-in-india/
4. https://www.un.org/en/observances/equal-pay-day
5. https://www.ilo.org/resource/other/gender-pay-gap