“Women work easy jobs, that’s why they earn less.”
“Women don’t want careers, they want to take care of children.”
“Men are better leaders.”
We’ve all heard these phrases. And while it’s true that some women do prioritise family over career, those who don’t still face barriers to high-paying jobs.
From an early age, girls are complimented on their appearance, and boys for what they can do. Girls get dolls and princess outfits, boys get science kits and superhero t-shirts. Society subtly steers girls towards careers in care, health, and education – sectors that are undervalued and lower-paying. This contributes to around 24% of the gender pay gap.
Nevertheless, many women pursue their passions, even in fields traditionally dominated by men. Take Maria. She and her friend Alex studied civil engineering and graduated at the top of their class. They secured highly competitive internships and worked equally hard to build strong references. Then came the job market:
- societal bias/conditioning: both applied for a similar position, but Alex asked for a higher starting salary, having always been encouraged to be assertive and confident. Maria didn’t want to negotiate too much, fearing she could be seen as ‘difficult’. Aware that the employer might worry about her starting a family and prefer a man in a mostly male team, she settled for less.
- pay discrimination/unexplained gap: for three years, they both worked tirelessly. Alex was promoted to Manager, while Maria got a modest pay rise.
- maternity leave: a few years later, Maria took maternity leave, then switched to part-time work and took on more unpaid work at home, while Alex didn’t need to take a career break when he had kids.
- glass ceiling: in a male-dominated industry, Maria rarely saw women in leadership roles and stopped believing she could become one, while Alex found a mentor who encouraged and inspired him.
- unpaid domestic work and care: when Maria’s parents got older, she took on unpaid care work after her full-time job. Exhausted, she temporarily put her career aside and stopped applying for promotions.
The story of Maria and Alex is fictional, but this is a reality for many women across the EU. While there are several reasons why women still earn less than men, among them are a complex mix of structural, societal, and discriminatory factors.
Imagine working from today until the end of the year and not getting paid. With the EU gender pay gap currently at 12%, women symbolically stop earning on 17 November. If progress continues at the current pace, the gap might not close for decades. Will future generations look back and wonder, “How could they have let that continue?” in the same way we now look back at the time when women couldn’t vote?
Closing the gender pay gap and achieving gender equality isn’t just about fairness; it’s about reducing poverty, unlocking potential, and strengthening the economy. On this occasion, Executive Vice-President Mînzatu and Commissioner Lahbib reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a Union of Equality. The Commission continues working to close this gap through new legislation such as directives on equal pay, work-life balance, gender balance in corporate boards, and pay transparency, among others.
For more information
Statement on European Equal Pay Day
Eurostat study on Gender pay gaps in the EU
European Institute for Gender Equality – Gender Equality Index
