Survey finds gender pay gap is widening – WJAR

Report on the Widening Gender Pay Gap and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Recent data indicates a significant regression in progress towards closing the gender wage gap, a trend that directly undermines key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A 2024 survey reveals that the pay disparity between men and women has widened, reversing previous gains. This report outlines the principal findings, identifies contributing factors, and analyzes the implications for SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Key Findings: A Setback for Gender Equality (SDG 5)

Analysis of recent wage data highlights a concerning reversal of progress on pay parity. This trend moves society further from achieving SDG Target 5.1, which aims to end all forms of discrimination against women, and SDG Target 8.5, which calls for equal pay for work of equal value.

• Widening Pay Gap: The average earnings for women have decreased from 83 cents to 81 cents for every dollar earned by a man.
• Exacerbated Racial Disparities: The gap is more severe for women of color, a direct challenge to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Black women currently earn 67 cents and Hispanic women earn 58 cents for every dollar earned by a white male counterpart.
• Delayed Timeline for Parity: At the current rate of change, gender pay equity is not projected to be achieved until 2059, far exceeding the 2030 target for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Causal Factors and Systemic Barriers to Decent Work (SDG 8)

The widening gap is attributed to several interconnected economic and social factors, many of which were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors represent persistent systemic barriers that prevent the realization of decent work and economic growth for all, as outlined in SDG 8.

1. Post-Pandemic Workforce Re-entry: The data reflects the mass re-entry of women into the workforce, often into lower-paying jobs, after leaving in large numbers during the pandemic due to job loss in over-represented sectors or a lack of childcare. This has skewed the overall average wage data downwards from a period when higher-earning women who could work remotely were more heavily represented.
2. Sectoral and Leadership Disparities: Women remain over-represented in lower-paying fields and under-represented in leadership positions, which contravenes SDG Target 5.5 (Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership).
3. The “Motherhood Penalty”: The pay gap widens significantly as women age, marry, and have children. This is attributed to a lack of structural support for working mothers and disproportionate caregiving pressures, an issue addressed by SDG Target 5.4 (Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work).
4. Workplace Discrimination: Women continue to face a higher likelihood of discrimination in the workplace, a fundamental barrier to achieving gender equality and decent work.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article’s central theme is the gender wage gap, a key issue in gender equality. It explicitly discusses the disparity in earnings between men and women, stating that women now make “81 cents for every dollar a man makes.” This directly relates to the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The discussion on equal pay for equal work is a core component of SDG 8. The article highlights the failure to achieve salary parity and the regression in progress, which undermines the principle of decent work for all. The mention of women being over-represented in lower-paying fields also connects to the quality of employment and economic growth.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article points out that the pay gap is even more severe for specific demographic groups. It states, “the disparity is even worse for women of color, with Black women making 67 cents on the dollar and Hispanic women making 58 cents on the dollar.” This directly addresses the goal of reducing inequalities within and among countries by highlighting economic disparities based on both gender and race.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Targets under SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The gender pay gap described in the article is a form of economic discrimination that systematically disadvantages women.
• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The article supports this by noting that women are “under-represented in leadership,” which contributes to the wage gap.

Targets under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value. This is the most directly relevant target, as the entire article is an analysis of the failure to achieve “equal pay for work of equal value,” detailing the specific wage disparities.

Targets under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The article’s data on the magnified pay gap for Black and Hispanic women shows a lack of economic inclusion for these groups.
• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… practices. The persistent wage gap is a clear example of an inequality of outcome that needs to be addressed.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 8 and SDG 5

• Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities. The article provides direct data points that serve as this indicator:
  • The overall gender pay ratio: “woman now only making 81 cents on the dollar.”
  • The pay ratio disaggregated by race: “Black women making 67 cents on the dollar and Hispanic women making 58 cents on the dollar.”

Indicators for SDG 5

• Indicator 5.5.2: Proportion of women in managerial positions. While the article does not provide a specific percentage, it implies this indicator by stating that women are “under-represented in leadership,” suggesting this is a measurable factor contributing to the pay gap.

Indicators for SDG 10

• The wage gap data itself, particularly when disaggregated by race and gender, serves as a powerful indicator for measuring economic inequality (Target 10.2). The specific figures for Black and Hispanic women directly measure the “inequalities of outcome” mentioned in Target 10.3.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: turnto10.com