The gender wage gap remains a persistent challenge in many societies, reflecting disparities in income earned by men and women. Data from the first quarter of the 2022 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) in a certain region has unveiled critical insights into this issue, shedding light on the extent and factors influencing wage disparities between genders.
The Stark Reality of the Gender Wage Gap
Among paid workers, the survey reveals that women, on average, earned 34.2 percent less than their male counterparts. This statistic underscores a significant income disparity that continues to affect the economic well-being of women in the region.
Factors Considered in the Wage Gap Analysis
The estimated gender wage gap takes into account various factors to provide a comprehensive understanding of the income disparity. These factors include age, years of work experience, level of education, main occupation, industry, employment sector, and region of residence. By adjusting for these variables, the analysis aims to provide a more accurate assessment of the wage gap’s impact.
Education as a Mitigating Factor
One noteworthy finding from the survey is that the gender wage gap is most pronounced among workers with lower levels of education. Among those with basic education, women earn a staggering 60.1 percent less than men, followed closely by workers with no formal education at 54.0 percent less. However, for those with tertiary education or higher, the gap narrows significantly to 12.7 percent.
Sectoral Disparities
Another crucial aspect of the gender wage gap is its variation across employment sectors. The private informal sector stands out with the highest wage gap, where women earn a staggering 58.7 percent less than men. Following closely is the private formal sector, with a gap of 29.9 percent. In contrast, the public sector exhibits a relatively lower gender wage gap of 10.5 percent, suggesting that government employment may provide more equitable compensation for women.
Age and Gender Wage Gap
Age also plays a role in wage disparities. Among the population aged 36 to 60 years, women face a 33.4 percent wage gap compared to men. This gap is almost 3.0 percentage points higher than for the age group 15 to 35 years, where women experience a 30.7 percent wage differential.
International Equal Pay Day: A Call for Action
The release of these statistics coincides with International Equal Pay Day, observed annually on 18th September. This day serves as a reminder of the need to address the gender wage gap and promote efforts to achieve equal pay for work of equal value. It underscores the urgency of enacting policies and initiatives aimed at narrowing the wage gap and ensuring that women are compensated fairly for their labour.
Read Also: Gender Pay Gap Exposed: Women in Ghana Earn 34.2% Less than Men – Shocking Details Inside!In conclusion, the findings from the Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey highlight the persistent challenge of the gender wage gap in the region. While education, sector of employment, and age play significant roles in shaping this gap, the data underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to address this issue and move closer to achieving gender pay equity. International Equal Pay Day serves as a poignant reminder that achieving equal pay is not only a matter of economic justice but also a fundamental human right.
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