On the International Equal Pay Day, we mostly reflect on how not to do things. The only question is, when are things going to change? When is the gender pay gap going to change?
Confusing
It is a bit confusing. The European Union has a similar day and this day is on November 15. The International Equal Pay Day is on September 18. Then there’s a Dutch initiative and that one’s a day before the European intiative (November 14). Yep, that’s all so confusing!
The subject is so important that we need to think about it more than once. Yet there is still a gender pay gap. The other days of the year, we can mostly pretend nothing is wrong. After all, some people still think that. Nothing is going on. Even when something is going on, everything is just logically explainable.
Choices
It all comes down to making choices, right? Try harder! Solve your issues. If it’s all a matter of working more hours, decide to work more hours! If you’re not happy with your monthly paycheck, well quit your job and find another position. Start negotiations like a boss! Hell, work harder! Everything will work itself out.
If only it was that easy! Days like these would no longer be necessary. Everyone would be paid equally.
Hold on, we’re not focussing on ‘just’ the difference between women and men. There’s more! Imagine that you are a woman and you are part of a minority group. Then again, what constraints or obstacles do you face and how does that affect your salary? Have you ever thought about that? Well, if you are that person, you have thought about this a million times! Perhaps more than that!
Origins and gender identity
It doesn’t stop here. Also consider origins and gender identity. These are also things that affect careers. In a negative sense. Non-standard gender identities, for example. Or the way individuals view certain population groups. This can all lead to lower pay. Especially when compared to men in the same position.
Discrimination
Let’s just name it for what it is: this is discrimination. On any ground. Gender, gender identity or perhaps there is a whole other fine reason to name. The nine-month absence due to a (possible) pregnancy. It doesn’t matter. A ‘perfect’ reason can always be thought of.
More than just salary
It’s about more than just salary. It is about opportunities, even dreams. Most of all, it’s also about others preventing things. Based on false claims and role patterns.
“The best man for the job,” is no longer tenable. This should be “The best person for the job.” The problem here: not everyone will agree. A quota will be met with protests when it concerns women. Does this also apply when things shift? When the tables are turned and there’s a (fictional) quota for men? By that I mean a minimum number of men in certain positions. When it comes down to quotas for women, suddenly it’s all about people. When it comes to men, this seems to be forgotten, so it seems.
Not the first time
It’s not like this is the first time this topic has been written about. Others did so with some regularity. The only question is how often this needs to happen. How long is this necessary? When is it enough? That answer is quite simple. There is no need to write about this topic anymore when everything has changed. In a positive sense. As long as there is still unequal treatment and pay based on gender, gender identity, ethnicity or age, there must be days like this. The only danger is that attention might be limited to days like this. That is not the intention. Such issues deserve to remain on agendas.
Tomorrow is also a good day to discuss it. Just like the day after. Tomorrow is also a great day to change things. Just like the day after. So that this day can eventually be renamed into something else. A day when we commemorate that this was the start of that change. Wouldn’t that be incredibly beautiful?
This article previously appeared on Harm Jagerman’s website. Due to a change in business activities, it was decided to reproduce this article on Artigenda’s website.
