The future is equal
There’s a gender pay gap.
Now before you argue the fact let’s just agree it’s complicated. Depending on where you look and what you read there are differing figures.
But here’s the thing – it doesn’t matter if it’s 1% or 23% … any difference is a difference that should not exist.
And when there are more female graduates than males but their starting salaries show a very real gap* it’s more difficult to argue.
But let’s look at the bigger picture.
Over the course of a lifetime that picture doesn’t look any better.
Until men can give birth, women will need to leave the workforce for a period of time – be it a week, a year or a few years - to continue the human race.
So we miss out on superannuation while we’re out of the workforce.
Yes men can leave the workforce instead and raise the kids while women go back to work, but that scenario continues to be rare.
And what happens if our marriage falls apart?
Single person households are the fastest growing demographic in Australia** and women over 55 are the fastest growing homeless group***. Women overall will move into their retirement years with less economic security than men. And the trickle down effect is profound.
But we’re not in it alone. Of course we’re not. We’re in it together.
Women and men are in this world together – in fairly equal numbers – so we need to find ways forward together.
There are plenty of men and women who support each other and want this world to move forward in a positive way – where we’re all equal.
On December 5th we’ll be holding a walkout in Sydney to help maintain awareness of these issues and help make a change for the economic security of women.
Join us and leave work at 3:50pm – the average time women stop getting paid vs men – and head to Martin Place. Let your voice be heard by corporates, Canberra and everyone in between - and be part of a positive change for a future of equality.
Facebook.com/walkoutoz
*wgea.gov.au
**blog.euromonitor.com/households-2030-singletons
***www.afr.com/real-estate/women-over-55-years-now-the-fastest-growing-homeless-people-in-australia-20180819-h146r2