On 18 September, the world unites to observe the International Equal Pay Day. This significant day, established by the United Nations, aims to raise awareness about the gender pay gap and promote equal pay for work of equal value. It highlights the ongoing challenge of pay inequality and reaffirms the UN’s commitment to human rights and the empowerment of women and girls.
Significance of International Equal Pay Day
- Global Awareness: The International Equal Pay Day serves as a global reminder of the persistent disparities in pay between men and women.
- UN Initiatives: This observance aligns with efforts from the UN, UN Women, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), urging governments, businesses, and organizations to collaborate for equal pay and the economic empowerment of women.
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Historical Context
- UN Resolution: On 18 December 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/74/142, declaring 18 September as the International Equal Pay Day.
- First Observance: The inaugural International Equal Pay Day was celebrated on 18 September 2020.
- Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC): Formed in response to the gender pay gap, EPIC includes countries like Iceland, Australia, and Germany, advocating for equal pay on a global scale.
Understanding Equal Pay
- Human Right: Equal pay is recognized as a fundamental human right, ensuring that men and women receive equal remuneration for equal work.
- Objective Criteria: This encompasses evaluations based on skills, qualifications, working conditions, and levels of responsibility.
The Gender Pay Gap
- Definition: The gender pay gap represents the average difference in earnings between employed women and men.
- Underlying Causes: Factors such as gender stereotypes and discriminatory practices contribute to this gap. Women, particularly those in undervalued sectors, face significant pay disparities.
- Current Statistics: According to the ILO, women globally earn 20% less than men for the same work, highlighting the urgent need for change.
EPIC’s Role in Closing the Gender Gap
- Multi-Stakeholder Coalition: EPIC, comprising the ILO, UN Women, and the OECD, works towards achieving equal pay by supporting various stakeholders.
- Global Impact: EPIC operates at global, regional, and national levels, making strides in addressing the gender pay gap.
Key Facts on Gender Pay Inequality
- Earnings Disparity: For every dollar earned by men, women earn 77 cents.
- Time to Close Gap: At the current rate, it will take 257 years to fully close the global gender pay gap.
- Maternity Leave: Only 28% of women globally can access paid maternity leave.
Progress and Challenges in India
- Current Standing: India has closed 64.1% of its gender gap, ranking 129th globally.
- Areas Needing Attention: Significant gaps remain in estimated income, senior management roles, and labour-force participation.
- Gender Parity in Leadership: Despite progress in head-of-state gender parity, representation in parliament and ministerial positions remains critically low.
2024 Events
On 18 September 2024, the EPIC Secretariat is set to host a high-level event titled “Pay of the Future: Solutions to Close the Gender Pay Gap” at the UN Women’s Headquarters in New York. This event aims to explore actionable solutions to bridge the gender pay divide.
Conclusion
The International Equal Pay Day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a call to action for individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide to strive for equality in the workplace. By raising awareness and advocating for equal pay, we can work towards a future where gender disparities are a thing of the past.
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FAQs
Is September 18th Equal Pay Day?
Yes, International Equal Pay Day is observed annually on September 18. It highlights the global efforts to achieve equal pay for work of equal value.
What do you mean by pay day?
“Pay day” refers to the specific day on which an employee receives their wages or salary for a given period of work.
What do you mean by equal pay?
Equal pay means that all employees should be paid the same amount for performing the same job or jobs of equal value, regardless of their gender, race, or other factors.
What is the meaning of International Equal Pay Day?
International Equal Pay Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the gender pay gap and advocating for equal pay for equal work globally.
What is the equal pay in India?
In India, the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 mandates equal pay for men and women performing the same or similar work. However, the gender pay gap still exists across many sectors.
What is the theme of Equal Pay Day 2024?
The theme for Equal Pay Day 2024 has not been officially announced yet, but it generally focuses on closing the gender pay gap and achieving wage equality.
Which country has equal pay?
Iceland is known for having the smallest gender pay gap and has implemented strong equal pay legislation. It became the first country to make it illegal to pay men more than women for the same work.
What happens on Equal Pay Day?
On Equal Pay Day, various activities, such as awareness campaigns, discussions, and seminars, are organized to promote pay equity and highlight the persisting gender wage gap.
What is the concept of equal pay?
The concept of equal pay is about ensuring that individuals, regardless of gender or other discriminatory factors, receive the same compensation for performing the same job or for jobs of equal value.
How to celebrate Equal Pay Day?
Equal Pay Day can be celebrated by raising awareness on social media, participating in events or webinars on wage equality, supporting policies that promote equal pay, and encouraging discussions about wage transparency.
What is the background of Equal Pay Day?
Equal Pay Day was first observed in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) in the U.S. to highlight how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned the previous year.
What is International Equal Pay Day 2024?
International Equal Pay Day 2024, observed on September 18, will focus on promoting equal pay for equal work across all industries and regions, raising awareness of the global gender pay gap.
What is International Equal Pay Day 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 theme?
Themes in past years have focused on global wage equality, advocating for systemic changes in pay structures, and bridging the gender pay gap:
- 2024: Yet to be announced
- 2023: “Unite for Equal Pay: Promoting Wage Transparency”
- 2022: “Closing the Gender Pay Gap: A Global Responsibility”
- 2021: “Building Forward Fairer: Achieving Equal Pay”
- 2020: “Celebrating Progress, Confronting Challenges”
What is Global Gender Pay Gap 2024?
The Global Gender Pay Gap 2024 report (yet to be published) will assess the progress of closing the pay gap worldwide. In 2023, the global gender pay gap stood at around 20%, meaning women earned on average 80% of what men earned.
What is National Equal Pay Day in India?
While India doesn’t have a specific national Equal Pay Day, discussions around wage inequality are ongoing, with emphasis on closing the gender pay gap, especially in informal and rural sectors.
What is Latina Equal Pay Day?
Latina Equal Pay Day marks the day when Latina women in the U.S. finally earn what their white male counterparts earned in the previous year. In 2023, it fell on October 5, reflecting a significant pay gap.