Gender Parity and International Women’s Day #IWD2016
By Flora Habbab, CanadianMomEh
March 8th is International Women’s Day—a time to celebrate what women have accomplished on the social, economic, cultural, and political front. It is also a time to raise awareness of the inequalities that women still face in their everyday life—even in the 21st century.
Gender parity is the focus of the campaign this year, and perhaps where this gap is most apparent is in the work force. Women only make 77 % of what men make for equal work. According to recent studies, Canada ranks a dismal 30th in terms of pay equity. The majority of Canadians are in favour of equal pay for equal work, yet, reality demonstrates otherwise. Among the factors contributing to this problem is the feeling of unease or the preference to not discuss one’s salary, according to Alex C. Lucifero, an employment lawyer with Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. Another employment lawyer, Paul Willets points out another reason on why pay equity discussions don’t take place: “It is possible that it could also cause further workplace tension – not between genders, but instead between managerial and non-managerial staff, for example, as they suddenly have access to salary information”.
Recently, the NDP passed a motion for equal pay in parliament. This motion is only applicable to the federal public sector and federally regulated industries (i.e. the banks). However, there is potential for this motion to influence other economic sectors on a national scale. Businesses in some regions of Canada have the pay equity motion through provincial variations. The advantages of this motion are significant for women. They would no longer fear losing their job if they address the issue of their salary not being equal to that of their male counterparts at work. They can also speak up against work injustices, perhaps more easily than before.
The pay equity motion was well received in parliament. The Minister of Status of Women Patty Hadju reacted positively to the NDP’s motion: “Pay equity is a fundamental human right. We welcome today’s NDP motion on closing the pay gap between men and women”. The Conservative Party also appears to have supported it with good will, but did not vote for it because they wanted to amend the pay equity motion with the removal of the 2004 task force and the creation of a special committee. This is still a step in the right direction for political parties to work together for a common goal to fulfill an important human right.
We ended 2015 with gender parity in government and started 2016 with a Pay Equity motion—so Canadian women can certainly feel hopeful that at least some of the injustices they face are slowly being remedied. It’s a start.
I think it is great that people are willing to fight for our rights. I do not really see many gender issues in my line of work, but I am sure they exist.
This is totally awesome and very courageous. Just to know that there are people who stand up for what they totally believe in is amazing.
Here in America equal pay continues to be a hot topic for discussion, especially since it is an election year. I just want to see both genders be judged on their work ethic and overall skills, rather than on specific body parts.
It’s crazy to me that in 2016 this is still an issue. People are people and race and sex shouldn’t come into play when it comes to salary. Everyone should be equal in the workplace.
I appreciate your thoughts but I also believe that some of the pay disparity can be explained by the fact that traditionally, women with children will work less overtime, volunteer for less travel, and generally try to be home more than men with children do. All of that certainly affects pay.
This is very interesting, I had no clue about any of this .. that it still went on. Thanks for bringing attention to the subject for sure!
I think this is such an important day to observe. I love they are focusing on gender parity this year. Great choice!
It is crazy to think we still do not get equal pay. It should not matter what gender we are just the job that is getting done.
It’s so frustrating that people can’t be looked at by how hard they work or what they are able to do and that gender has to still be part of things. Hope it changes soon, before my kids get older.
I love the awareness that is being raised by international womens day. Hopefully more countries are able to continue to make strides to equal rights.
It is insane that in 2016 we still face these issues as women. I hope we are going to evolve as humans and soon realize we are equal. Especially as women we need to stand up for each other and have each other’s backs !
It’s getting better every day, but we still have a lot of progress to make towards equality in this world!
It’s slow going, but we are moving forward in the right direction!
I didn’t even know it was Woman’s day until someone said something today.