Expression of Gender Inequalities in Wage Differences in the European Labor Market
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61177/HISZ.2024.15.1.11Keywords:
gender inequalities, gender pay gap, occupational segregation, European labor market, women's empowerment, legislation ensuring equality in wagesAbstract
According to universal laws guaranteeing the enforcement of human rights, every individual has the right to equal opportunities to thrive in life and the job market, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, political or other ideological commitments, age, or whether they have any disabilities (United Nations 1948).
Gender inequalities exist in every society, which can manifest in gender pay gaps. Behind these gaps lies negative discrimination against women, resulting in women receiving lower wages in certain sectors for the same positions, qualifications, and skills on the job market. The lower wage levels represented by women also lead to lower pension levels after retirement, hence it is not surprising that there is a higher proportion of elderly women living in poverty.
Although in the European Union in recent decades there has been increasing emphasis on addressing gender inequalities, gender pay gaps persist in EU member states to this day, necessitating the implementation of new, comprehensive, integrated solutions.
With our publication, we aim to contribute to alleviating gender pay gaps by presenting theories underlying gender inequalities and perspectives, as well as guidelines for addressing the issue.
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