Archive for category: Gender Wage Inequality

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Understanding the Gender Wage Gap in Mozambique 

Gender Wage Gap in MozambiqueMozambique is among the poorest countries in the world with a GDP per capita of just $647 and ranking 182nd on the Human Development Index. Among the myriad challenges Mozambique faces as a result of this multidimensional poverty is its gender wage gap, which represents the average income of women compared to men. Addressing the gender wage gap in Mozambique is an important issue of social justice. 

Mozambique’s situation is typical of its regional context. In East and Southern Africa, women earn on average 21% less than men. This unjust state of affairs reflects broader regional gender inequalities relating to education access, as well as deep-rooted attitudes regarding social roles. Here are three key factors affecting the gender wage gap in Mozambique:

1. Women Work Fewer Hours Than Men

The gender wage gap in Mozambique is only 1.6% at the hourly level, but 14.9% at the monthly level. This means that women earn significantly less than men throughout the course of the month, embedding long-term income disparities. One explanation for this is the substantial role of unpaid domestic labor such as child-rearing, which women usually perform, often rendering them unable to work for as many hours as men. Discriminatory working practices are also a concern in this regard.

2. Social Attitudes to Gender Are Highly Restrictive

Gender roles in Mozambique are traditional and deep-rooted. The largest employment sectors for men are “masculine” in nature — manufacture, construction and transport — while for women, the largest sectors are household work and education. Unpaid domestic labor reflects a social contribution that is ‘unseen’ in terms of income. Estimates have indicated that 37% of women and men would need to switch occupations in order to reverse the gender wage gap that these imbalances cause.

Restrictions upon women’s autonomy in Mozambique begin in childhood. About 53% of Mozambican women marry before the age of 18, while 153 of every 1,000 adolescent females (15-19 years old) gave birth in 2023. These alarming figures demonstrate how many young women end up in domestication before they have any notions of formal employment.

3. Educational Attainment Is Highly Imbalanced

The gender wage gap in Mozambique is more pronounced (23.4%) for those who only have a primary level of education than for those who have a post-secondary level of education (13.8%). This is in the context of more girls completing secondary education than boys. Therefore, women who fail to complete secondary education end up with greater wage imbalances and worse socioeconomic prospects.

Moreover, the female literacy rate in Mozambique is substantially lower than the male literacy rate (49% to 72%). This prevents vast numbers of women accessing higher education and the higher-skilled, higher-paid employment opportunities that it beckons.

How the Gender Wage Gap in Mozambique Affects Women

One impact of the gender wage gap in Mozambique is the financial disempowerment of women, including through a lack of financial independence and long-term economic security. Significantly fewer women than men have a banking account (38.7% to 61%), and fewer women than men receive support for the future through pensions or life insurance. Low literacy rates and education levels compound this impact, making many women dependent upon their husbands. The gender wage gap can therefore be understood both as a symptom of and as a cause of restrictive societal expectations of women: it reinforces the deep-rooted inequalities within Mozambican society that give rise to it in the first place.

Reasons To Be Hopeful

Foreign governments and NGOs are offering development aid to target the root causes of the gender wage gap in Mozambique as a matter of priority. For example, Canadian development aid funds the Empowering Adolescent Girls to Learn and Earn (EAGLE) scheme, which aims to help 4,200 adolescent girls in Mozambique improve their educational attainment. Working with community leaders in the highly impoverished Monica and Sofala provinces, the scheme focuses on girls who have previously been forced out of school through marriage or pregnancy. The program provides accelerated literacy, numeracy, business and vocational classes, equipping the girls with important life skills required to enter formal employment and become more economically empowered. So far, EAGLE has helped enroll almost 1,000 girls in primary school, and 99% of participants have passed their National Literacy and Numeracy exams.

Furthermore, the World Bank is aiming to increase the number of girls completing primary and secondary education on a large scale through its Improving Learning and Empowering Girls in Mozambique program. Through a $299 million funding commitment from the U.S., the initiative has significantly increased the primary level grade retention of girls living in highly impoverished areas by providing resources such as textbooks and equipment and leading teacher training programs. At least 55,000 students have benefitted so far.

Looking Ahead

Although the gender wage gap in Mozambique appears to be an insurmountable challenge, development aid programs such as these indicate that where there is the political and economic will to address deep-rooted gender inequalities, issues of female economic empowerment can slowly be overcome. 

– Joseph Webb

Joseph is based in Norwich, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Tackling the Gender Wage Gap in Kazakhstan 

Gender Wage Gap in KazakhstanKazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, has achieved notable advancements in enhancing women’s access to education and formal employment. However, the gender wage gap in Kazakhstan endures, with women consistently earning less than men in the majority of industries. This imbalance constrains economic progress and perpetuates obstacles in attaining fair labor conditions.

Overview of the Gender Wage Gap in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has achieved near-parity in education, yet there is still a large wage gap between men and women. In the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, the nation had an overall score of 0.710, placing it 76th out of 146 nations. With a score of 0.751 for Economic Participation and Opportunity, it shows modest advancements in workforce participation but persistent differences in leadership positions and pay.

According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which cites Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics, men continuously earn more in almost every industry, with the average gender pay gap narrowing to 21.7% in 2021 before widening again to 25.2% in 2022.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) reports that, on average, women in Kazakhstan only make 67% of what men do, with the disparity being particularly noticeable in high-paying industries like banking, construction and transportation. The research also emphasizes how under-representation in leadership positions and vocational segregation exacerbate this disparity.

Contributing Factors

A closer look at the factors influencing Kazakhstan’s gender pay wage identifies a number of recurring problems:

  1. Industrial and Occupational Segregation: Women’s over-representation in lower-paying sectors and under-representation in high-paying industries contributed to the wage gap’s consistent 30% level, according to a 2024 research that looked at Kazakhstan from 2011 to 2019. Additionally, the investigation identified “industrial segregation” as one of the primary reasons for the wage gap.
  2. Sticky Floors and Glass Ceilings: Experts point to structural trends such as the “sticky floor,” which traps women in low-paying jobs and the “glass ceiling,” and restricts their access to senior positions. Corporate and social conventions play a major role in creating these obstacles.
  3. The Cost of Motherhood and Unpaid Care Work: Due to workplace prejudice, shortened workdays and career disruptions, mothers in Kazakhstan have financial disadvantages. According to other research, women devote a disproportionate amount of their time to unpaid domestic labor, which exacerbates economic inequality.
  4. Stereotypes Based on Culture and Gender: Traditional gender norms remain widespread in Kazakhstan. According to a UNDP poll, 96% of participants had at least one prejudice against women, such as the idea that men are more qualified for positions of leadership and business. Gender stereotypes restrict women to jobs associated with maternity, childcare and unpaid domestic work, which hinders their ability to progress professionally, according to research on female civil service executives.

Despite Kazakhstan’s high levels of female education and employment access, the pay disparity is maintained by a combination of overlapping structural factors, including caregiving duties, leadership restrictions, industry segregation and deeply rooted prejudices.

Innovation & Solutions

Across Kazakhstan, government bodies, international organizations and civil society are taking concrete action to narrow the gender wage gap in Kazakhstan:

  1. The UNDP-Led Equal Pay Campaign: The UNDP in Kazakhstan started the “Closing the Gender Pay Gap” campaign in May 2023 with the goal of encouraging more openness and communication between businesses in order to narrow the pay gap, which was 25% in 2021 and 21.7% in 2022. The campaign emphasizes the need for gender-responsive workplace regulations and highlights factors, such as career disruptions brought on by parenthood.
  2. National Policy & Legal Reform: Kazakhstan’s government action plan for 2024–27 incorporates gender equality into national budgeting and labor laws while promoting equal rights and opportunities for men and women. In order to monitor pay trends and assess labor policy, the plan calls for the collecting of gender-disaggregated data.
  3. Strengthened Family Policy and Legal Framework: According to an OECD analysis, Kazakhstan’s National Gender Equality Strategy (2006–16) and Equal Rights and Opportunities statute (2009) established important foundations. The government is now putting its “Family and Gender Policy Concept 2030” into practice, with an emphasis on supporting working parents, enhancing women’s economic involvement and incorporating gender equality into legislation.
  4. Regulation of Equal Pay in the Workplace: Kazakhstan scored 75.6 out of 100 in the World Bank’s 2023 “Women, Business and the Law” assessment, which indicates that the country has acceptable legislation pertaining to marriage and mobility but falls short in terms of pay equality and labor rights. Ongoing initiatives to create fair remuneration guidelines and enhance workplace transparency are filling up these regulatory gaps.

Looking Ahead

Despite Kazakhstan’s advancements in education and labor market participation, the gender wage gap continues to be a significant obstacle to complete economic equality. However, momentum is building. Through international cooperation, government-led changes, and growing public awareness, Kazakhstan is creating the framework for more equitable economic development. Addressing the gender wage gap in Kazakhstan will need sustained investment in legal enforcement, transparency and assistance for women in under-represented fields. Kazakhstan has the potential to not only lessen pay gaps domestically but also serve as a strong model for the larger Central Asian area if these initiatives gather momentum.

– Ray Bechara

Ray is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Gender Wage Gap in the DRC 

Gender Wage Gap in DRCIn Sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a nation that is rich in mineral resources, including cobalt, gold, coltan, copper and diamonds. The deposits provide citizens of the DRC with employment opportunities, as these materials are essential for products manufactured for international markets, most notably, cobalt. Cobalt is an essential mineral used in lithium batteries for many electronics, such as smartphones, electric vehicle (EV) batteries and laptops. Considering that the country is this rich in resources, it is difficult to understand why it suffers from an economic disparity that influences the gender wage gap in the DRC.

Unfortunately, due to the rapidly increasing demand for these resources, many developed nations and privatized corporations will continue to purchase products from artisanal mines that operate without proper labor laws, thereby compromising the safety and health of artisanal miners in the DRC.

In addition to inadequate wage employment, the DRC has faced continuous entrepreneurial issues due to the lack of aid following political disruptions (i.e., the Congolese Civil War) that could go towards education and other resources that may help citizens thrive, and the nation’s economy make an upturn, equaling the drastic gender wage gap in the DRC.

Women in the Workplace

Whether it is direct or indirect, women are one of the primary victims of economic instabilities in the DRC. Per data that the World Bank received, out of the 62% of women who participate in the labor market, 6.4% of women earn wages from an employer. That percentage is nearly quadrupled in the case of men. Overall, women in the DRC are found less likely to work than men by 8.2%, and those women who do work earn 77.3% less than men—as for women entrepreneurs, they earn 66.5% less in profits than their male counterparts.

After conducting a study on the discrepancy of women participating in the DRC’s economy, Darla Urmiche Diya Lipoko, a published student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, breaks down consistent challenges women of the DRC encounter to gain financial stability. One of her primary points in the research focuses on access to education, stating that “Young women regularly drop out of school because of early marriage and pregnancy, hence leading to a gender gap in training,” due to socio-financial and sociocultural factors.

The Domino Effect of Exploitation

Although socio-financial and sociocultural issues are deeply rooted obstacles in the gender wage gap in the DRC, it is not necessarily as surface-level as one may believe. As previously stated, the economy of the DRC primarily relies on artisanal mining under exploitative conditions to provide their biggest exports. While male and female artisanal miners operate under the same circumstances and are nearly equally represented—40% of recorded artisanal miners were female per World Bank in 2017—they face the brunt of the abuse, whether they are employed or not. According to a EUREKA: Social and Humanities article, “Young women in the DRC are especially powerless as they frequently experience early marriages, undesired pregnancies, and sexual abuse.”

It is not only important to advocate for essential aid in the DRC, but it is vital that measures are taken to subsume labor and health regulations in small businesses that provide vital exports. If not, then it is probable that exploitative natures could continue to prevent women from accessing resources to lead successful lives, “Numerous young women in rural areas that are obliged to perform family chores every day instead of attending school can also explain that gender gap,” continuing the cycle of abuse among the citizens of the DRC.

Addressing the Issue and Possible Solutions

Currently, multiple global advocacy organizations are developing programs to aid the women of the DRC to achieve financial success, benefiting the economy of the country.

One of the most prominent programs that aims to reduce the gender wage gap in the DRC is the GLE Project, which has boosted primary school availability and education to all children, especially young girls and women. To welcome them into an environment where they can thrive, the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education administered a “Girls’ Learning and Empowerment Project to improve safe and equitable access, particularly for girls, and teaching-learning conditions at secondary schools in selected provinces. This includes the creation of safe and inclusive school environments and strengthening of the curriculum, textbooks, and teaching-learning materials,” per the World Bank.

That being said, the GLE Project isn’t the only project assumed to fix this ongoing issue; the DRC Eastern Recovery Program (STEP) has indirectly benefited the success of many young women, slowly tightening the gender wage gap. The program has been active for the past 10 years, aiding many citizens living in poverty. The Project has committed $700 million to this cause program, which is currently exceeding many of the targeted goals, like “Women being indirect beneficiaries,” exceeding the original objective for the number of lives positively impacted.

Looking Ahead

While both programs show considerable promise, it is important to protect and support the laborers and small businesses that operate under exploitative conditions. Per the World Bank, “To close economic gender gaps, projects should consider providing childcare and implementing gender transformative interventions engaging men, which have been shown to increase men’s contribution to household responsibilities,” which may be harder to execute without providing everyone with healthy work environments.

– Sam Barbagallo

Sam is based in Tewksbury, MA, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing the Gender Wage Gap in Sudan

Gender Wage Gap in SudanThe pursuit of gender equality is an international imperative, and understanding the complexities of inequalities, such as the gender wage gap, proves critical to fostering economic empowerment. In Sudan, gender discrimination in pay significantly reverses overall development and poverty reduction. Although continued war undoubtedly widens such inequalities, comprehending the causes behind the gender wage gap is vital for implementing effective solutions. 

The Depth of Economic Disparity

Sudan faces one of the largest gender pay gaps on the continent. Recent reports indicate that, on average, Sudanese women earn an astonishing 82% less than men for performing the same work. The gender wage gap in Sudan significantly surpasses the global average and underscores the need for immediate, specific interventions.

Directly contributing to this gap, the female labor force participation rate in Sudan stood at a low 14.5% in 2022, down from earlier figures and significantly below the global average. This low participation actively inhibits women’s economic independence and their right to earn a fair wage. Furthermore, occupational segregation frequently confines women to specific areas, such as agriculture or unstructured trade, which typically offer lesser wages and limited opportunities for advancement. Such labor segregation directly limits their earning potential and maintains the wage disparity. A lack of transparency in compensation schemes and discriminatory recruitment practices also increase the wage gap. Without clear guidelines and supervision, inequalities easily perpetuate unimpeded.

Societal and Structural Barriers

Institutionalized cultural practices and traditional gender roles largely explain the gender wage gap in Sudan. In most instances, these roles push women to the outskirts of the formal economy, concentrating them in lower-paying jobs or the informal sector where their work often faces devaluation. Educational disparities also account for a significant share of the gender gap in pay. Though some improvements exist, fewer than half of girls finish primary school, and many do not complete their education. Less literacy among women, particularly those from poorer backgrounds, limits their access to better-paying, more skilled jobs. While entrepreneurial activities among many Sudanese women are rampant, often necessitated by circumstances, they face serious constraints. These include restricted access to finance, a lack of knowledge and skills in business and socio-cultural values that restrain their mobility and prospects.

The intersection of gender and poverty is particularly stark in Sudan. While the overall national poverty rate stood at 46.5% in 2009 for North Sudan, recent data from 2021 indicates that 52.3% of the population is considered multidimensionally poor, with an additional 17.7% vulnerable to multidimensional poverty. Women, especially those without assets, private businesses, or education, are disproportionately affected, with studies showing that 90% of women with high economic dependency live below the poverty line. This direct correlation between the gender wage gap and women’s poverty rates highlights how limited economic opportunities and lower earnings trap women in a cycle of destitution, further exacerbated by their vulnerable employment status. For instance, in 2022, 55.5% of women in Sudan were in vulnerable employment, compared to 36.1% of men, meaning they are less likely to have formal work arrangements, social protection or safety nets.

Conflict’s Devastating Impact

Ongoing socio-political instability and conflict severely impede women’s access to employment and education, thus worsening the gender wage gap in Sudan. Displacement, destruction of infrastructure and breakdown of services disproportionately fall on women and girls, leaving them in increasingly marginalized economic positions. The conflict has also generated an enormous increase in demand for gender-based violence services, placing women and girls at higher risks of sexual exploitation and violence. This violence not only leads to physical and psychological trauma but also undermines their ability to integrate into the economy and gain livelihood, as safety concerns and trauma disrupt their economic engagement.

Paving the Path Forward: Empowering Women for Change

Despite daunting difficulties, several organizations and local women-owned businesses actively contribute to combat gender inequality and empower women economically in Sudan. One such organization is the Gender Centre for Research and Training (GCRT), a Sudanese civil society organization established in Khartoum in 1997. GCRT actively raises awareness on gender concepts to ensure gender mainstreaming in development and government policies. The GCRT focuses on research, training, alliance building, networking, advocacy and creating solidarity as means to achieve its objectives. It promotes women’s equality and their right to be active participants in social, cultural, economic and political life in Sudan, particularly during this transitional period toward democracy and peace.

Since 2011, UN Women has also instituted programs which have helped more than 60 women-owned organizations in Sudan. These programs provide vital skills training, humanitarian relief, and support women’s participation in peacebuilding. This assistance directly empowers women to become game-changers in their communities, demonstrating resilience and possibilities of a more equitable future in Sudan.

Towards a More Equitable Future

The long-lasting gender wage gap in Sudan is a complex issue of entrenched economic disparities, gendered social norms and the devastating impacts of war. The resolution of this issue requires an integrated approach of addressing low women’s labor market participation, occupational segregation, education inequalities and the heightened vulnerabilities of poor and war-affected women. By educating women, empowering them economically, and giving them freedom from violence, agencies like GCRT and UN Women are paving new ways for an improved and equitable Sudan, demonstrating that through concerted efforts, even the biggest roadblocks to gender equality can be overcome.

– Anoushka Rai

Anoushka is based in Frisco, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The Gender Wage Gap in Syria and the Fight for Empowerment

Gender Wage Gap in SyriaIn Syria, where years of brutal violence and extreme poverty have devastated the nation, women are emerging not only as survivors of conflict, but as architects of their country’s future. Yet, despite the crucial role they now play in the rebuilding process, the gender wage gap in Syria remains a barrier to progress. Syrian women are largely undervalued and underpaid compared to their male counterparts, a reality that only perpetuates the nation’s dire economic situation. 

A Country in Crisis

Many widely regard the Syrian civil war, which began in March 2011, as one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. Over a decade of fighting led to the displacement of more than 14 million civilians, social and political instability and the collapse of the economy. As of December 2024, an estimated 90% of Syrians lived below the poverty line, and 16.7 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance.

Only on December 8, 2024, after 24 years of oppressive totalitarian rule, did the Assad regime fall at the hands of opposition forces. The conflict claimed the lives of more than 600,000 people, many of them men. Now, with so many killed or displaced, Syrian women are increasingly taking on roles in shaping their families, communities and the future of their country.

A Disproportionate Impact on Women

At the same time, women are facing significant struggles. While the civil war had a negative impact on all Syrians, it disproportionately impacted women in many ways. Increases in sexual and gender-based violence, alongside the destruction of hospitals and clinics, deprived countless women of basic and reproductive health care. In 2023, 3.9% of Syrian girls ages 15-19 gave birth, a statistic that reflects both this limited access to health care and rising rates of early and forced marriage.

Syrian women also face a lack of employment opportunities, and when they do secure jobs, they are often receive less pay than men. Globally, women earn around 77 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts earn. Although comprehensive data on the gender wage gap in Syria is yet to exist, labor force participation rates illustrate the economic disparity: in 2024, it was 62.8% among males compared to only 13.3% among females. These numbers are representative of a wider trend in the Arab world, where women’s access to employment is up to 44% lower than men’s.

Beyond being concerning from a gender equality standpoint, the wage disparity in Syria also has serious, even life-threatening implications for women and their families. 92% of female-headed households report either an insufficient or complete inability to meet their basic needs. Additionally, 74% of the almost 6 million Syrians experiencing food insecurity or malnutrition are women and girls.

The Civil War as a Turning Point

However, suffering does not solely define the story of Syrian women. Amidst violence and desolation, many women stepped out of the home and into new roles, defying long held gender norms and stereotypes. Women found numerous ways to transform their challenges into opportunities by protesting against the Assad regime, finding work to support their families and empowering their daughters to learn to take care of themselves.

One particularly noteworthy individual is Ghalia Rahhal, founder of the Mazaya Center for Women’s Empowerment. Despite an assassination attempt, the murder of her son and sexist opposition, she has never stopped her fight to integrate feminist principles into Syrian laws and practices. By training women in refugee camps on politics and equality, Rahhal is preparing them to become active participants in the transitional and future government of their country. 

Inspired to achieve similar goals, the nonprofit Uplifting Syrian Women seeks to help women and girls obtain better jobs by providing them with free online courses and trainings. The organization aims to close the gender wage gap in Syria by empowering women to enter the workforce and recognize their importance in the country’s rebuilding process.

Why Closing the Gap Matters

Looking forward, there is still much uncertainty surrounding the future of women in Syria. One reality, nevertheless, is that the empowerment of women is economically beneficial for all. As the World Economic Forum reports, increasing women’s workforce participation could boost a country’s economic output by up to 35%. That potential could become a reality as more and more women take an active role in the government and the workforce, helping close the gender wage gap in Syria and lift their country into a better future.

– Caroline Clark

Caroline is based in Needham, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Bridging the Gender Wage Gap in the Maldives

Gender Wage Gap in the MaldivesThe Maldives, a nation known for its natural beauty and growing economy, has taken meaningful steps toward gender equality. However, wage disparities persist. Women in the Maldives earn approximately 20% less than men, highlighting a gender wage gap that reflects systemic inequality. While policies have improved legal protections, barriers to equal pay and economic opportunity remain widespread. Here is information about the gender wage gap in the Maldives.

Legal Frameworks in Place

The Maldives has implemented legal reforms to support gender equality. The Gender Equality Act (2016) prohibits gender-based discrimination and mandates equal pay for equal work. The Constitution of 2008 affirms equal rights for all citizens, regardless of gender. Additionally, the government introduced a 33% quota for women in local councils to promote female political participation.

Despite these advancements, enforcement remains uneven. Women continue to face limited access to high-level positions in both the public and private sectors. As of 2024, women hold just 5% of seats in the national parliament, highlighting gaps in political representation.

Occupational Segregation and Labor Disparities

According to UNDP, women comprise 45.6% of the labor force, while men account for 77.1%. The employment gap is most evident in high-paying sectors such as construction and tourism, where male workers dominate.

The Ministry of Tourism’s 2022 Employment Survey found that women make up only 11% of resort workers, with Maldivian women representing just 8%. This underrepresentation is compounded by “occupational segregation,” in which women are concentrated in lower-wage, lower-skill jobs, limiting earning potential and career advancement.

Education and Economic Opportunity

Women in the Maldives enjoy near-universal literacy, with a 98.1% female literacy rate as of 2019. However, disparities increase in higher education and employment. Only 37% of tertiary education graduates in 2021 were women, according to the Ministry of Higher Education, restricting access to technical and leadership roles.

The gap in employment outcomes is also tied to unpaid care responsibilities. A 2023 report by the Maldives Policy Think Tank revealed that women spend 19 hours per week on domestic work which is more than double the time spent by men. This time spent contributes to the “time poverty” and limiting participation of women in the formal workforce.

The UNDP’s Women in the Workforce Program

An active and impactful effort to address wage inequality is the “Women in the Workforce” program, launched in 2020 by UNDP Maldives in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development. The program provides vocational training, job placement services, soft skills workshops and childcare support, aiming to boost women’s employment in formal sectors.

In addition to this initiative, several other programs are helping to reduce the wage gap and promote women’s economic empowerment in the country. The National Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) 2022-2026, which the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services (MoGFSS) developed in partnership with UNDP Maldives, prioritizes “Economic Empowerment” as a key focus area. This plan aims to ensure equal participation and remove barriers to women’s economic activities.

At the same time, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has funded the “Strengthening Gender Inclusive Initiatives (SGII) Project,” which partners with the Ministry of Finance on gender-responsive budgeting. This project also supports the Ministry of Economic Development in transitioning women from informal to formal employment, with initiatives such as affordable childcare subsidies. Complementing these efforts, the UNDP Maldives Gender Equality Strategy 2023-2026 outlines the organization’s commitment to fostering gender-equal, sustainable economies.

Looking Ahead

While the Maldives has made significant strides in legislation and program development to address the gender wage gap in the Maldives, sustained progress requires continued investment in implementation and accountability. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) notes that increasing female participation in the workforce can significantly boost the country’s GDP and reduce poverty. Ongoing efforts such as workforce training, business mentorship and inclusive policy design are helping to narrow the wage gap. Expanding access to affordable childcare and increasing women’s representation in high-growth industries remain critical areas for further development.

As these efforts scale and enforcement of equality laws strengthens, the Maldives moves closer to building a more inclusive economy, where every citizen, regardless of gender, has equal opportunity to succeed. 

– Sriya Regulapati

Sriya is based in Vancouver, Canada and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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The Fight Against the Gender Wage Gap in Belarus

Gender Wage Gap in BelarusThe gender wage gap has been a persistent problem across nearly all professional sectors since the integration of women into the workforce. Unfortunately, this issue remains prevalent in many workplaces today, notably in orthodox societies with traditional views on gender roles, such as Belarus, where the unadjusted gender wage gap favors men by 26.8%.

In Belarusian society, women are often encouraged to pursue lower-risk jobs with standard working conditions and flexible hours, as they dedicate on average 19.2% of their time to unpaid domestic and care work, such as raising children. In contrast, their male counterparts have the freedom to choose professions with longer hours and higher remuneration as they spend only 9.5% of their time on these tasks. As a result of these lower wages and high familial expectations, female workers are more at risk of falling into poverty than male workers. 

Despite ranking at #55 out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum 2024 Global Gender Gap Index, Belarus is taking significant steps through legislation and internationally backed initiatives to climb the ladder and end discriminatory practices against women in the workplace. These are two key ways that Belarus is fighting against the gender wage gap.

International Aid Efforts

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is an international organization focused on supporting efforts for social and economic progress worldwide, currently working to improve women’s working conditions in Belarus. As a result of a partnership with UNICEF and the National Statistical Committee, the UNDP is now able to collect sex-disaggregated data, enabling it to find national solutions and track their progress in combating the gender wage gap. 

Progressive Legislation

In conjunction with these social efforts, Belarus has recently passed multiple pieces of legislation that are already producing positive results. 

In 2017, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus adopted the National Plan for Gender Equality. With the goal of developing a more gendered approach to public policy to level the professional playing field and empower women to hold more managerial positions, the action plan has been largely successful since its implementation. Not only do women possess more upper management positions than before, but they also make up 70% of the 69,000 cultural workers in Belarus as they work in the fields of media, education and culture.

In the National Review of the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, a review in which the government presents answers to questions generated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and UN Women, the Belarusian government explains that they have increased the salaries of employees in the women-dominated public sector. Although they do not give specific figures, professions such as teachers, medical workers and pharmaceutical professionals were the main beneficiaries and are expected to receive further salary augmentation before the end of 2025. This legislation seeks to close the gap between the salaries of these predominantly female professions and the predominantly male industrial professions in Belarus, who consistently earn far more than their female counterparts.

Political Arena

Women have also been rising to prominence in the political arena. Despite the rigid, male-dominated, autocratic regime, in both 2015 and 2020, multiple women were registered as single candidates in the presidential elections, signaling progression towards gender equality across many professions.

While the gender wage gap in Belarus is nowhere near eradicated, these progressive measures put in place by the government and international entities are positive steps towards gender equality in the workplace. These steps provide progressives and feminists across Belarus with cautious optimism. Despite the work that remains, feminist leader Irina Solomatina believes that “being a woman in Belarus is good,” as she hopes for future equality between genders in the workplace and, in turn, a lower risk of poverty for Belarusian women.

– Jack Schuchard

Jack is based in Herndon, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Women in Fiji: Gender Wage Gap

women fijiWomen in Fiji experience disparities compared to men. Among these hindering challenges lie the women’s critical earned income rights and segregated employment opportunities. For example, in February 2024, only 9.1% of women served in the country’s legislature. In addition, about 13.9% of girls, ages 15 and older, work unpaid, fulfilling more household work than men. The country ranked 107th out of 146 countries for its gender gap.

Battling Inequality

Gender inequality has been a hot topic within societal norms and traditions. The World Bank issued a report stating that women in Fiji spend 2.9 times more than men on household work. A traditional female role is to provide for the family and domestic responsibilities like cooking and cleaning. Women possess full inheritance and property rights under law; however, local city governments dispose of their decisions on collective land.

A group of 56 women founded The Women’s Rights Movement of Fiji (FWRM) in 1986. Over the years, the movement pushed for legislation in Fiji. The implementation of the Family Law Act and the Employment Regulations Act upheld the FWRM campaign in 2005.

The FWRM are known for their two main active programs: the Gender and Transitional Justice Program (GTJ) and the Intergenerational Women’s Leadership Program. Enhancing democratic recognition and the rule of law for women’s rights is the goal of the GTJ. This is positioned between right holders and responsibility bearers. The Intergenerational Women’s Program focuses more on women’s health and female leaders in high leadership roles.

Empowering Women in Fiji

GlobalGiving is a charitable organization that aims to focus on women’s empowerment through community service and project collaborations. It opens up workshops on gender gap-related issues. Since 2002, the organization has funded $1,026 million from almost 2 million donors or volunteers. The number of projects expanded to more than 40,000 in more than 175 countries around the world. They estimated 96 million citizens will live on the poverty brink by 2021.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the dilemma grew more challenging. Its long-term goal was the launch of GlobalGiving’s empowerment programs, which ask for volunteers to help or lead women empowerment service projects. These projects range from play activities for children, women’s health plans, and community networks where women and grandparents can share stories.

Future Restorations

The gender wage gap continues to be a barrier, with women in Fiji earning lower wages and being significantly underrepresented in positions of leadership. The burden of unpaid caregiving duties that women bear limits this difference. This restricts the prospects for financial growth. But the groundwork of women’s rights has been laid. Through their reliable lobbying techniques, the women’s rights movement in Fiji has overturned discriminatory laws and regulations. Health education, skills-based training, and community development all received aid from GlobalGiving charity programs. These give women the knowledge they need to grow. Closing the gender wage gap requires persistent advocacy and ongoing funding for these organizations.

– Janae Bayford

Janae is based in Centennial, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing the Gender Wage Gap in Papua New Guinea

Gender Wage Gap in Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea is a developing country located in southwest Oceania. In 2021, U.N. Women reported the island country’s designation as a “lower middle-income country,” amassing a gross national per capita income of $2,386. Based on U.N. Women’s study, statistics show that Papua New Guinea’s income poverty sits at 28%, with 90% of those most affected living in rural environments. To complicate this further, rural women and children are among the most vulnerable under these conditions, facing many challenges to live healthy lives sustainably. Here is information about the gender wage gap in Papua New Guinea.

About the Gender Wage Gap

History has repeatedly indicated a significant disparity in power and economic allocations between women and men. In a society where men dominate the public sphere of influence, women are often disenfranchised. Due to this inequality, women are often short-sighted across sectors with limited access to power, resources, rights and wealth. A precedent of unequal pay for women in the labor market, known as the gender wage gap, often perpetuates this disparity.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) defines the gender wage gap as “the difference between the median earnings of men and of women relative to the earnings of men.”

The Gender Wage Gap in Papua New Guinea

In March 2025, the World Bank (WBG) published research showing significant increases in gender equality across landscapes in Papua New Guinea. However, research still shows gaps in employment along gendered lines. In its study, it found the following information:

  • In 2023, the value of waged and salaried female workers amounted to 15.6, more than a 10% increase from the previously recorded value.
  • Hourly earnings gaps are evident between female and male workers. Reporting a median hourly wage gap of 31.5% across all workers, irrespective of employment status, and 13.3% across wage workers. In addition to this, the mean hourly wage gap is 30.8% across all workers, irrespective of employment status and 16.3% across wage workers.
  • In Papua New Guinea, 81.9% of women are vulnerably employed (those who are self-employed and have lower labor incomes and low job security), with the remaining female population making up employers and wage and salaried workers. However, in comparison to this statistic, their male counterparts comprise 68.5% of vulnerable employment, with the remaining 27.3% fulfilling roles as employers and wage and salaried workers.

Steps in Achieving Gender Equality Globally

In the face of these wage and economic inequalities, various efforts are occurring to address these disparities. In 2024, the World Bank Group launched an initiative to accelerate gender equality, end poverty and cultivate a more livable planet. This conceptual framework will be implemented from 2024 until 20230 across the world. Its objectives include:

  • Ending gender based violence and elevating human capital
  • Expanding and enabling economic opportunities
  • Engaging women as leaders

Project Implementation in Papua New Guinea

Under the WBG’s program, selected countries like Papua New Guinea expressed a vested interest in prioritizing gender equality through various programs and reforms. The World Bank Group has outlined the following approaches.

  • The WBG is aiming to remove “barriers to women’s economic inclusion.”
  • It is prioritizing gender equality and emphasizing women’s participation in the labor force.
  • The WBG is also integrating gender analysis into the “country’s analytics to inform policy dialogue.”

This initiative leverages collective action in the interest of cultivating a world and future committed to nondiscrimination, inclusion and equality of opportunity. Furthermore, economic opportunities will experience expansion through meaningful and transformative impact. By working closely with nations through a country-engagement model, strategies to implement change through innovative financing and policy reforms will enable the advancement of public resources, support and equality for people regardless of their gender identity.

– McKenzie Rentie

McKenzie is based in Dallas, TX, USA and focuses on Celebs and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Gender Wage Gap in Nicaragua Ranks 6th Narrowest Globally

gender gap nicaraguaIn the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, Nicaragua ranked sixth in narrowing gender gaps nationally–the only country in the Americas to rank in the top 10. Narrowing the gender gap entails eradicating the difference in outcomes for and opportunities offered to men and women, which fits into SDG 5. The gender wage gap is a specific manifestation of gender inequality. This gap encompasses the difference between men’s and women’s median financial earnings. While this statistic represents income generally, the issue of women receiving lower wages than men for the same job adds to this difference.

Through a variety of efforts, Nicaragua has decreased its gender wage gap by 80% since 2006. Decades-old initiatives such as the Nicaraguan Women’s Institute have set the stage for Nicaragua’s record levels of gender equality today, and more recent programs such as Better Work are doing on-the-ground work to fight for equal pay.

Nicaraguan Women’s Institute

The Nicaraguan government created the Nicaraguan Women’s Institute in 1987 as a body for spearheading gender equality policies. These policies influence areas of female inequality from domestic abuse to labor. The Women’s Institute targets Nicaraguan institutions, providing strategies that will sustainably enact gender equality over time.

While the institute implemented many of its programs some time ago, the foundation it laid has allowed Nicaragua to reach its impressively narrow gender wage gap today.  Many of its programs have targeted a wide range of areas in a woman’s life beyond wages, including health and education. These strategies, such as the National Program of Gender Equity, may have helped women gain access to employment, decreasing the gender wage gap.

Better Work

Better Work is an initiative that increases factories’ compliance with labor standards from the International Labor Organization (ILO). This program is a joint initiative from the ILO and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Better Work examines a factory’s labor conditions and shares its findings with major companies. Since many of today’s companies prefer to work with ethical factories for reputational issues, noncompliance with ILO standards is penalized.

Gender equality is a core element of Better Work’s approach. Better Work uses training and advisory services to help factories adhere to ILO standards, with gender equality strategies fully integrated into these efforts. Complying with gender equality, such as wage equality, is therefore incorporated into complying with ILO labor standards.

Since its establishment in Nicaragua in 2010, Better Work has worked with 32 Nicaraguan factories, 20 brands, and more than 45,000 workers. The initiative specifically targets the gender wage gap by fighting for shorter hours and higher wages for women to match those made by men. Industry labor accounts for almost a fifth of employment in Nicaragua, meaning Better Work’s efforts can reach a significant portion of the population.

Gender Wage Gap in Nicaragua: Going Forward

The Nicaraguan Women’s Institute and Better Work can be expected to continue to make a positive impact on Nicaragua’s gender wage gap. Nicaragua still has a way to go until it reaches gender equality in the workforce, with a female employment rate of 54.9% and a male employment rate of 75.9% in 2024.

Yet, the Women’s Institute’s institutional change strategy and Better Work’s advisory and incentive-based approach have already helped Nicaragua to decrease its gender wage gap by 80% since 2006, showcasing their effectiveness.

– Madison Fetch

Madison is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr