AWSN thanks Linda Shave for writing this insightful article.
By Chair at International Digital Information & Technology Advisory Council- Linda Shave
By Chair at International Digital Information & Technology Advisory Council- Linda Shave
The 8th March represents International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is to press forward and progress gender parity. It has been some 109 years since the first observance of a Woman's Day was held in New York on 28th February, 1909. The purpose was to promote equal rights for women and women’s rights to vote. The 2018 theme is ‘press for progress’. This theme could be considered optimistic and positive. That is to say that some progress has been made in the past 109 years, however, more needs to be done.
Here we are in the 21st Century and according to the Australia’s gender pay gap statistics report (published by Workplace Gender Equality Agency, February 2018). Women earn on average $253.70 per week less than men. The Australian national gender pay gap is 15.3%. Gender pay gaps are an internationally established measure of women’s position in the economy.
In this day and age, it seems inconceivable that women are still paid relatively less than men. This gender pay gap has implications for a woman to support her family and save for her retirement. There is no denying gender bias and gender inequality is still a big issue for women.
There is a need to unite thought leaders and communities to press forward and continue to progress the need for gender parity. Thought leaders who can be influential agents of change. Engaging with communities and working with policymakers and business to address the root cause of gender pay gap and assist in developing initiatives and policies. Initiatives and policies that harnesses the full potential of the female workforce, improves female economic empowerment and looks at closing the gender pay gap.
Please see this link for pay gap statistics.
The 8th March represents International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is to press forward and progress gender parity. It has been some 109 years since the first observance of a Woman's Day was held in New York on 28th February, 1909. The purpose was to promote equal rights for women and women’s rights to vote. The 2018 theme is ‘press for progress’. This theme could be considered optimistic and positive. That is to say that some progress has been made in the past 109 years, however, more needs to be done.
Here we are in the 21st Century and according to the Australia’s gender pay gap statistics report (published by Workplace Gender Equality Agency, February 2018). Women earn on average $253.70 per week less than men. The Australian national gender pay gap is 15.3%. Gender pay gaps are an internationally established measure of women’s position in the economy.
In this day and age, it seems inconceivable that women are still paid relatively less than men. This gender pay gap has implications for a woman to support her family and save for her retirement. There is no denying gender bias and gender inequality is still a big issue for women.
There is a need to unite thought leaders and communities to press forward and continue to progress the need for gender parity. Thought leaders who can be influential agents of change. Engaging with communities and working with policymakers and business to address the root cause of gender pay gap and assist in developing initiatives and policies. Initiatives and policies that harnesses the full potential of the female workforce, improves female economic empowerment and looks at closing the gender pay gap.
Please see this link for pay gap statistics.
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