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From education to income: How big is the wage gap between men and women?
In today's society, gender inequality remains a reality that cannot be ignored. This phenomenon is deeply rooted in cultural, economic and workplace structures and affects people's lives, especially women. In this article, we’ll explore just how big the wage gap is between men and women, from education to income, and consider how this plays out in different societies.
Gender inequality disadvantages women in many areas, including health, education and business life.
Causes of the gender wage gap
There are many reasons for wage gaps, including educational choices, work experience, length of time worked, and job interruptions (such as having children). According to multiple studies, men typically enter higher paying and riskier jobs. Statistics show that the wage gap between the sexes can be as high as 60 to 75 percent, although the exact figure for this gap varies depending on the research source.
According to the International Labour Organization, women worldwide are still paid 20% less than men.
Gender differences in education and the workplace
Access to education is an important step in closing the gender wage gap. Women have shown good growth in professional education since the 1960s, yet they remain underrepresented in certain executive positions and on boards of directors. Research shows that women still face significant challenges in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.
Gender discrimination in the workplace
Gender discrimination in the workplace not only leads to wage gaps, but also causes unequal opportunities for promotion. The so-called “glass ceiling” effect is widespread, with women facing difficulties in reaching senior positions even when they have the experience and skills to do so. According to some reports, this phenomenon is more pronounced in high-income occupations, and most women still do not have fair opportunities for salary increases as their careers progress.
“The gender pay gap is an indicator that shows how much women earn compared to men.”
Gender wage gap by country
There are large differences between countries in terms of the gender wage gap. For example, in some developed countries, women earn about 78% of what men earn, while in some developing countries this percentage may be even lower. At the same time, there are some regions, such as Bahrain, where women's salaries are higher than men's, a phenomenon that has sparked wider thinking.
Meet the challenge of change
Although many countries have begun to implement gender equality policies, they still face many challenges in achieving true equal treatment. Taking entrepreneurship as an example, currently women-owned micro, small and medium-sized enterprises around the world face a funding gap of approximately US$1.7 trillion, which often puts women entrepreneurs at a disadvantage.
ConclusionThe problem of gender inequality cannot be completely solved by simply changing laws or policies; society's perception of gender roles also needs fundamental changes.
Although the gender wage gap has narrowed somewhat over the past few decades, significant gaps and challenges remain. How can we change these deep-rooted social concepts and structural barriers so that men and women can be truly treated equally? Is this a question that each of us needs to ponder?
