Equal Pay | Expert insights on closing the gender pay gap

On 18 September, the world comes together to recognise International Equal Pay Day, a United Nations initiative that shines a spotlight on the ongoing battle for pay equity. Despite steady progress, the gender pay gap remains a persistent issue in many industries and across various sectors.

To mark the campaign day, experts from leading organisations have shared their thoughts on the challenges and steps needed to close the gap.

Progress in the UK - pay equity must become the norm

Rufus Hood, Country Manager UK at Coople, highlights the importance of this day in bringing attention to the issue of equal pay for equal work. "Organisations giving their staff equal pay for equal work must become the norm," he stresses, adding that businesses making strides in this area deserve recognition. While the UK has made commendable progress, with the gender pay gap reducing from 19.3% in 2015 to 14.3% today, Hood insists there's still more to be done. "We all need to be working hard to get this gap down to zero." Coople, he says, places a strong emphasis on fair and equitable rewards based on performance, not gender or other discriminatory factors, as part of their commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.

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Bridging the skills gap for a path to gender pay equity

In the tech sector, the gender gap extends beyond pay. Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera, focuses on the role of education and skills in addressing this disparity. "Systemic educational and professional development challenges still exist that prevent women from having the same opportunities as men," she observes. Stein points out that, according to Coursera's platform data, 72% of participants in generative AI courses are male, with millennial men between 28 and 43 being the most engaged. This imbalance is concerning, especially in a rapidly advancing field like AI. "By working to close skills gaps of this kind," Stein explains, "we can foster greater female representation in leadership roles and expand the participation of women in the digital economy."