On International Equal Pay Day, UN Women reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women workers globally in the effort to close the persistent gender pay gap and ensure equal pay for work of equal value. Despite three decades since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and reaffirmation in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, women worldwide still earn on average 20 per cent less than men. The gap is even wider for women from racial and ethnic minorities, women with disabilities, and migrant women, undermining income security, women’s rights, and inclusive, sustainable economic growth.
With less than five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, UN Women emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action. As a co-lead of the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) alongside the ILO and OECD, the organization works with governments, employers, workers’ organizations, international institutions, and research bodies to advance wage equity. Governments are called to establish legal and policy frameworks, employers to implement transparent pay practices and gender-responsive workplaces, and workers’ organizations to drive social dialogue and collective bargaining. Collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and academia, supported by evidence and technical expertise, is key to eliminating the pay gap and empowering women economically.
As the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York, UN Women reaffirmed that equal pay for work of equal value, enshrined in ILO Convention 100, is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development and gender equality. The organization called on all stakeholders to renew their commitment, join EPIC, and intensify collective efforts to close the gender pay gap once and for all.
Related Posts
