Today there are many women who can have careers in the fields they want; this is proof that the struggle of women regarding gender equality has paid off. However, there is still a long way to go, because there are still many tangible forms of gender inequality that are encountered in the world of work.
There are still many countries in the world that perpetuate a patriarchal culture in the workplace, where male workers are considered more competent than female workers. In the end, male workers were able to advance to the highest positions, while women had to deal with stagnant careers, even lower wages.
Here are some tangible forms of gender inequality in the world of work that still often occur. Come on, see!
Women Are Paid Less Than Men
The pay gap between men and women has long been discussed and is a protracted issue. This is a sad fact that must be experienced by women in the world of work.
Reporting from the International Labor Organization (ILO), globally women are paid less than men, with an estimated gender pay gap of 16 percent. This wage differential has negative consequences for women and their families, and the situation has only worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile in Indonesia, women earn 23 percent less than men. In fact, the facts on the ground show that more female workers have a bachelor's degree than male workers.
However, this fact seems to have not been able to narrow the wage gap based on gender. Even female workers with a bachelor's level of education earn quite low wages compared to men.
Lack of Representation of Women in Politics
Based on data from UN Women, only 21 percent of women serve as ministers in government, and only 14 countries have 50 percent or more women in the cabinet. Based on this fact, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be achieved for another 130 years.
According to Elizabeth Lombardo, a psychologist, the lack of a role model and the inherent stereotypes cause this to happen.
"I think it boils down to two things: a lack of modeling, and stereotypes about what women should be like," she told Reader's Digest.
Women are often considered too 'gentle' or sensitive to be in the harsh world of politics. However, if more women are involved in politics, it will inspire other women to take up the same role.
Men are more likely to receive a raise than women in the same position
One of the causes of the wage gap in the world of work is the difference in asking for an increase in wages itself. According to research at Harvard, only 7 percent of women try to negotiate a salary when they apply for a job. Women are more likely to apply for and accept lower-paying jobs than men with the same skill level.
"A lot of women are taught that they're going to be given what they deserve, and if they just do their best their boss will see their hard work and give them a raise," Lombardo said, according to Reader's Digest.
"Men? They just ask for it. Don't let other people define what you deserve. Do your research, decide for yourself, and ask what you want."
Women Rarely Get Promotions Than Men
According to a study from LeanIn and Mckinsey & Co, although men and women alike want to be promoted, women are 15 percent less likely to actually be promoted.
One of the reasons is that women will not ask for a promotion unless they feel they have met 100 percent qualifications. Meanwhile, men will still ask for promotion even if they only meet half of the qualifications. Not only that, sometimes women also refuse promotions on the grounds of taking better care of their children.
There are still a few women who become leaders
The gender gap in leadership increases as positions increase. According to a study from LeanIn, at the entry level, 52 percent are men and 48 percent are women. But at the manager level, 62 percent are men and 38 percent are women.
While at the CEO level, it is dominated by men as much as almost 80 percent.
"This is a perfect example of the mentality that men are more likely to promote other men," says Lombardo.
One way to overcome this is to encourage and support women to use their voices.
"Women are often afraid to speak up because they are afraid of being wrong. It's okay to be wrong. Being wrong doesn't make you a failure," she said.