International Women’s Day has passed for another year.
So, happy belated Women’s Day to all those who fight for equal rights for women. And for anyone who even recognizes that sexism is, unfortunately, still very much alive and thriving in 2016, we thank you.
The earliest Women’s Day observance was held on Feb. 28, 1909 in New York. It was organized by the Socialist Party of America in remembrance of the 1908 strike of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union.
The main plank of the movement was obtaining the vote for women. And, of course, equal pay for work of equal value. The first goal is largely met – at least in most countries. The second goal still eludes women.
Despite a new federal government that has boldly and bravely designated a cabinet with 50 per cent women and is clearly making women’s rights a key commitment, women still face the “glass ceiling” in many workplaces.
Women still earn, in Canada, 33 per cent less than men. Most folks would think, well, that makes sense considering that women work more part-time jobs; they take time off to have kids, and that sets them back for wage increases and potential promotions; and, of course, they work in occupations that are often paid less (retail sales) than other occupations (engineering).
But even when this is taken into consideration, women still make less than men.One study of 290,000 U.S. nurses revealed male nurses make $5,100 more per year than their female colleagues in similar positions.
How can this happen in 2016?
It’s pretty simple – if there is a way to throw a bit more moola a man’s way, chances are the system will find a way to do it. It’s a built-in preference honed by decades of overt and subtle sexism. If it’s a bit of merit pay, extra overtime, or bonuses – a male worker will reap some benefits that a female worker will not, even when they are doing the same job.
Unions have fought to create a fair workplace structure, but there are fewer union workers than there were a decade ago, and without written protections, discrimination creeps in.
And, while we hate to admit it, it’s really all about the money.
It costs a woman the same amount for rent that it does for a man. If you can’t earn an equal wage, it’s simply unjust.
While we celebrate all of the wins for women’s equality over the last 100 years, we still hope that some day we’ll actually see a level playing field with equal paycheques.
