In many parts of the world, there is now greater equality between working men and women. Nevertheless, women still tend to earn less and enjoy fewer promotions than men.
Some would argue that this situation will correct itself over time. However, in my view, there is much that can be done to address the problem constructively.
One possible approach would be for governments to force employers to promote the same numbers of men and women and to pay them the same salaries. This would certainly tackle the problem quickly. However, measures like this would probably be seen as excessive and difficult to enforce.
A more feasible approach would be for governments themselves to take the lead in ensuring that their male and female employees earn the same for equivalent work and that women are promoted fairly. This would help to establish gender equality as a norm and set a good example for companies in the private sector. Countries, such as Sweden and Iceland, which have done this are often regarded by others as socially-advanced models.
To further encourage equality, companies could be required to publish figures on the rank another solution and average earnings of men and women in their workforce. Evidence of large inequality would create a bad impression. In order to avoid bad publicity, companies might consider it worthwhile to pay fairer wages and promote more women to management positions.
The problem of gender inequality in the workplace will probably not be solved quickly. However, that is not a reason to avoid taking action. Governments can encourage change by showing the way forward and taking advantage of the need for companies to present themselves as fair and reasonable.
In
many
parts of the world, there is
now
greater equality between working
men
and
women
.
Nevertheless
,
women
still
tend to earn less and enjoy fewer promotions than
men
.
Some
would argue that this situation will correct itself over time.
However
, in my view, there is much that can
be done
to address the problem
constructively
.
One possible approach would be for
governments
to force employers to promote the same numbers of
men
and
women
and to pay them the same salaries. This would
certainly
tackle the problem
quickly
.
However
, measures like this would
probably
be
seen
as excessive and difficult to enforce.
A more feasible approach would be for
governments
themselves to take the lead in ensuring that their male and female employees earn the same for equivalent work and that
women
are promoted
fairly
. This would
help
to establish gender equality as a norm and set a
good
example for
companies
in the private sector. Countries, such as Sweden and Iceland, which have done this are
often
regarded by others as
socially
-advanced models.
To
further
encourage equality,
companies
could
be required
to publish figures on the rank another solution and average earnings of
men
and
women
in their workforce. Evidence of large inequality would create a
bad
impression. In order to avoid
bad
publicity,
companies
might consider it worthwhile to pay fairer wages and promote more
women
to management positions.
The problem of gender inequality in the workplace will
probably
not
be solved
quickly
.
However
,
that is
not a reason to avoid taking action.
Governments
can encourage
change
by showing the way forward and taking advantage of the need for
companies
to present themselves as
fair
and reasonable.