Last Wednesday, September 18, marked International Equal Pay Day, a date set by the United Nations to spotlight the global efforts to close the gender pay gap. While the day has passed, the significance of this ongoing fight remains at the forefront of global conversations. The day serves as a reminder of the vast disparities between male and female wages across industries and regions, particularly in Africa, where this issue is deeply ingrained.
Despite some progress made, the gender pay gap continues to pose a major challenge to achieving social and economic justice, not only for women but for entire societies. The pay gap represents more than just a difference in wages; it is a reflection of entrenched inequalities in labour markets and societal norms. This issue affects various stakeholders—governments, businesses, workers, and civil society—who all have a critical role in closing the gap.
Why Equal Pay Matters for African Stakeholders
Governments: As guardians of economic policies and signatories to international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), African governments play a pivotal role in advancing gender equality. One of the key targets under SDG 8.5 is achieving “full employment and decent work with equal pay for equal value,” and governments must ensure they implement measures such as anti-discrimination laws, pay transparency, and policies that recognize unpaid care work.
Businesses: Equal pay is not only a legal and ethical obligation but also a competitive advantage for businesses. Companies that adopt equal pay practices improve employee morale, reduce turnover, and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace. African companies—particularly in key sectors like energy, technology, and finance—must take steps to close pay disparities by promoting transparency and adopting equitable compensation structures.
Trade Unions: Across Africa, trade unions have been at the forefront of advocating for gender equality in wages. Unions help to negotiate fair wages, push for transparency, and ensure compliance with equal pay laws. As shown by global data, unionised workplaces tend to have narrower gender pay gaps. African trade unions can continue to play a vital role by advocating for family-friendly workplace policies and supporting women’s participation in the formal workforce.
Civil Society and Advocacy Groups: Non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups are key players in raising awareness, challenging discriminatory practices, and pushing for reforms that reduce pay disparities. By engaging with governments, businesses, and international coalitions such as the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC), civil society can help drive the conversation on fair pay and inclusive policies.
Key Barriers to Equal Pay in Africa
The gender pay gap in Africa is driven by numerous factors. Informal employment, where women are overrepresented, remains largely unregulated, leading to lower and unstable wages. Additionally, social norms often place the burden of unpaid care work disproportionately on women, which restricts their ability to engage in paid work or forces them into lower-paying, flexible jobs.
Structural barriers such as limited access to education and training further limit women’s opportunities to secure higher-paying roles in industries like technology, finance, and engineering. Pay transparency is also lacking across the continent, making it difficult to hold businesses accountable for wage discrepancies.
Collective Action: The Way Forward
Closing the gender pay gap will require coordinated efforts from all sectors of society. Governments need to strengthen labour laws and policies that promote gender equality in wages. Businesses must prioritise diversity and inclusion, ensuring that equal pay for equal work becomes a core part of their operations. Trade unions and civil society groups should continue to advocate for systemic change, ensuring that women have equal access to job opportunities, fair wages, and career advancement.
For Africa, where economic transformation is critical to development, closing the gender pay gap is both a moral and economic imperative. Achieving wage equity would enhance women’s financial independence, boost household incomes, and reduce poverty across the continent. Furthermore, gender parity in wages can catalyse broader social changes, including improved access to healthcare, education, and community development, as women gain greater financial agency.
While much work remains, a collective focus on equitable compensation, transparent wage practices, and inclusive policies can help accelerate progress toward a world where equal pay is not just an ideal but a reality.
CSR-in-Action is advancing gender equity and addressing the critical issue of equal pay. Through our initiatives and partnerships, we advocate for transparency, fairness, and inclusion in the workplace. We work tirelessly with businesses, governments, and civil society to foster environments where women are empowered to achieve their full potential, free from discrimination. By promoting sustainable practices and driving awareness on the importance of equal pay for equal work, we are contributing to a future where gender parity is not just a goal but a tangible reality. Together, we can close the gender pay gap and build a more just and equitable society for all.
Author: Chinonso Vincent