SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Institutions: Ministry of Labour and Employment | Ministry of Women and Child Development
UN Women has released a statement affirming that equal pay for equal work is not just a labour issue but a human right, essential for sustainable development and achieving gender equality. The statement underscores that many countries continue to have persistent pay gaps between men and women, driven by occupational segregation, discriminatory practices, undervaluation of “women’s work,” lack of transparency, and insufficient legal protections. It calls for stronger enforcement of labour laws, greater corporate transparency, regular pay equity audits, and supportive policy interventions (such as parental leave, care‐services, and social protections) to close the gender wage gap.
This kind of declaration matters because it pressures governments and employers to upgrade existing laws and regulatory frameworks to ensure pay equity. It also draws attention to socio‐economic barriers (like childcare and unpaid care work) that often go unaddressed in wage policies, making it difficult for gender parity to translate into real economic empowerment.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
What concrete policy mechanisms (legislation, regulation, incentives) will national governments adopt to ensure pay transparency, eliminate disparities across sectors, and monitor compliance, especially in sectors with large informal workforces?
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