The United Nations(UN) observed International Equal Pay Day, celebrated every year across the world on 18 September to highlight global efforts towards achieving equal pay for work of equal value.
- 18 September 2025 marks the observance of the 6th International Equal Pay Day.
Exam Hints:
- Event: International Equal Pay Day 2025
- When? 18 September
- Edition: 6th observance
- Observed by: UN
- Initiation: Proposed at UNHRC 2019 (Geneva) by EPIC members (Iceland, AUS, CAN, GER, NZ, PAN, SA, SUI)
- Adoption: UNGA Resolution A/RES/74/142 (18 Dec 2019)
- First Observance: 18 Sept 2020
- SDG Linkage: SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth)
- Convention: Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No.100)
Background:
Initiation: In 2019, during the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) steering committee member Iceland, along with other core members: Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Panama, South Africa, and Switzerland, introduced a resolution on equal pay, recommending the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to declare an International Equal Pay Day.
Adoption :On 18 December 2019, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/74/142, proclaiming the 18 September of every year as International Equal Pay Day.
First Observance: The first-ever International Equal Pay Day was observed on 18 September 2020.
SDG Linkage:The observance is aligned with the UN’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Equal Pay – A Human Right
Definition: Equal pay is a recognised human right that guarantees both women and men receive equal remuneration for work of equal value.
Convention:The Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) was the first international effort to tackle pay inequality.
Importance: It is crucial for advancing human rights and gender equality and demands a concerted global effort.
Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC): It is the only multi-stakeholder partnership addressing the gender pay gap worldwide.
- The EPIC Secretariat consists of the International Labour Organization(ILO), (the UN entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Keyfacts:
Wage Gap: Women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men for work of equal value, and the gap is wider for mothers.
Global Estimate: Across all regions, women are consistently paid less than men, with the global gender pay gap at about 20%.
Maternity Leave: According to EPIC, only 28% of employed women worldwide have access to paid maternity leave.
Retirement Security: Globally, nearly 65% of people above retirement age without a regular pension are women.
2025 Event:
OECD Event: On 16 September 2025, the OECD, in collaboration with Luxembourg and Ireland, hosted a hybrid event titled “Policy Options to Close the Gender Pay Gap Over the Life Course”, bringing together policymakers, academics, and business leaders to discuss strategies for gender pay equity.
