ADVERTISEMENTWestern countries have made little progress on reaching goals on gender equality, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
In its report entitled ‘The Pursuit of Gender Equality: An Uphill Battle’, the 35-member organisation says progress has been far too slow and issues what it calls a stark call to action, saying gaps between men and women persist in all areas of social and economic life.
Although many countries have taken steps to tackle matters such as workplace harassment, improve opportunities in education and reduce inequality in pay, the OECD’s report highlights an ongoing wage gap it says has barely changed since 2010.
The OECD says on average women earn nearly 15 percent less than their male counterparts among full-time workers, a figure exceeded by some notably wealthy countries including Britain and Germany.
The proportion of women in work has risen, but they lose out on career advancement and are more likely than men to face discrimination.
The OECD argues that countries have strong economic as well as social reasons to take further action.
Gender pay gap
Difference in male-female median earnings, full-time employees
Source: OECD 2015
- Belgium 3.3%
- Italy 5.6%
- Greece 6.2%
- Turkey 6.9%
- Hungary 9.5%
- France 9.9%
- Spain 11.5%
- Switzerland 16.9%
- Germany 17.1%
- United Kingdom 17.1%
- Canada 18.6%
- Portugal 18.9%
- United States 18.9%
- Brazil 24.8%
- India: 56%