Comprehensive Response to the Gender Pay Gap

This guide addresses the gender pay gap and outlines a comprehensive response to achieve pay equity. It highlights the persistent issue of women earning significantly less than men, with an average difference of 20 percent in wage employment. The guide emphasizes the need for targeted policies that align with the ILO's fundamental conventions, particularly the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100), and the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111). It discusses various initiatives, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Equal Pay International Coalition, aimed at reducing gender pay disparities. The guide proposes a new Theory of Change and an ILO Intervention Model, incorporating recent insights on measurement, legislation, and technology. It also acknowledges the impact of care responsibilities and career interruptions on women's earnings and advocates for measures such as pay transparency to support alignment with ILO living wage principles. The intended audience includes governments, employers' organizations, and civil society, aiming to keep pay equity a priority on the global agenda.