The gender pay gap continues to impact a vast array of women, industries, and job roles. While some claim the gender pay gap is decreasing, The World Economic Forum’s ‘Global Gender Gap Report’ found that it will take precisely 131 years for the gender gap to close if progress continues at the current rate.

Efforts to close the gender pay gap have been underway for decades, with varying degrees of success. Governments, organisations, and advocacy groups have implemented a range of initiatives to promote pay equality:

• Legislation: many countries have enacted laws mandating equal pay for equal work and requiring companies to report on their gender pay gaps. For instance, the UK introduced mandatory gender pay gap reporting in 2017 for organisations with 250 or more employees
• Corporate Policies: companies are increasingly adopting policies to promote pay equity, including conducting regular pay audits, implementing transparent pay structures, and offering flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
• Awareness and Advocacy: campaigns and initiatives, such as International Equal Pay Day, play a crucial role in raising awareness about the gender pay gap and advocating for systemic changes to achieve economic equality

On this International Equal Pay Day, the industry has commented on the importance of recognising the day, and what can be done to improve the gender pay gap.

Roshan Kindred, Chief Diversity Officer at PagerDuty, commented: “Equal Pay Day is one of a number of days serving as a marker for organisations to review and celebrate how far they have come and what their vision of progress looks like. Social responsibility is a critical part of the fabric of PagerDuty’s culture and can easily be embedded into organisations DNA.

“Businesses who move towards a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future, by leveraging their resources and capabilities to make a positive impact in the communities they operate in, attract inclusive high performing individuals. These future leaders approach their work with curiosity and innovation, driving the execution of their business's vision. At the heart of a winning culture is a desire to ensure everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute to collective success. Inclusive and engaged teams deliver results that benefit all our stakeholders, from customers and employees to investors.

“Equal pay is just one manifestation of thoughtful programmes and policies that create an environment where top talent can thrive. A culture of fairness, engagement and innovation is how we attract top talent and continue to deliver great collective work. Organisations that operate with such a framework are the ones that create a winning culture.”

Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera, said: “On Equal Pay Day, it remains crucial to acknowledge the role that access to skills will play in closing the gender pay gap. In the tech sector, systemic educational and professional development challenges still exist that prevent women from having the same opportunities as men. For instance, the growing AI skills gap across genders is a significant issue, with Coursera’s platform data showing that 72% of participants in generative AI courses both globally, and in the UK, are male. This male/female disparity in learning is particularly pronounced among millennial men aged 28-43, who represent the largest group engaging with these courses, and will increasingly shape the workforce.

“By working to close skills gaps of this kind – those that can be linked to the greatest levels of economic opportunity – and promoting flexible, accessible learning for all, we can foster greater female representation in leadership roles. We can also expand the participation of women in the digital economy more broadly. According to our latest data, nearly all (97%) educational leaders agree that micro-credentials improve long-term career prospects, and these types of alternative learning pathways are key to levelling the playing field for women. As AI continues to transform industries, ensuring that women have equal access to these high-demand skills not only helps close the gender pay gap, but also creates more diverse and innovative teams. When women have the right opportunities, they can and will thrive in tech-driven sectors, leading to more inclusive growth and a stronger, more balanced workforce.”

Gali Arnon, Chief Business Officer at Fiverr, commented: “To achieve true equality in the workplace, we must collectively challenge and address any ongoing prejudices and biases that persist. It’s crucial that we all take a step back to evaluate our progress as a society, identifying both successes and areas where we need to improve in terms of gender equality. At the very foundations of this progress is equal pay.

“I am grateful to work for a company that actively promotes gender diversity, with women making up 51% of our global team and 50% of our senior management – something I am incredibly proud of. It's also rewarding to see that the Fiverr platform empowers women to thrive, often earning the same or more than men to take control of their lives. Additionally, it’s wonderful to see further projects such as Fiverr’s partnership with Virgin StartUp for the Female Founders Competition, being promoted to actively empower female entrepreneurs regardless of gender, sexual orientation, class, or race. This year, I encourage business leaders to reflect on how they can better support and advocate for women in the workplace."

While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in achieving equal pay for all. Closing the gender pay gap requires a multifaceted approach, involving policy changes, corporate responsibility, and cultural shifts. Organisations must commit to ongoing efforts to evaluate and address pay disparities, promote diversity and inclusion, and support women in advancing their careers.

International Equal Pay Day serves as a call to action for governments, businesses, and individuals to renew their commitment to gender pay equity. By working together to address the root causes of the pay gap and implementing effective strategies to promote equality, it is possible to create a more inclusive and equitable future for everyone.