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CEDA Women in Leadership Series

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CEDA Women in Leadership Series

Libby Lyons

CEDA,

5 min read
5 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Closing the gender wage gap requires more men to enter traditional female-dominated professions, and vice versa.

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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Eye Opening
  • Visionary

Recommendation

The developed world has made strides in promoting gender equality, yet pay disparities persist. Libby Lyons of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia argues that closing the pay gap isn’t simply a matter of demanding equal pay for equal work but of addressing gender imbalances in the workforce. Though based on Australian data, her recommendations for closing the pay gap are applicable throughout the developed world.

Summary

In 2016, Australia’s gender pay gap was 23%. Men earned more in every economic sector, even those that are female-dominated. Although gender-based pay discrimination is neither legal under Australian law nor accepted by society at large, the gender pay gap persists largely due to three factors:

  1. “Bias and discrimination” – Prejudice against female workers is the most significant reason for pay inequality. The best way to fight unconscious bias is to raise awareness. Employers who recognize their biases are better able to correct them.
  2. “Industry segregation...

About the Speaker

Libby Lyons is the director of the Australian government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency. 


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