Women could be 'left behind' after COVID

To coincide with Equal Pay Day this Tuesday, Our Watch has expressed concern about the disproportionate impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on women.

Equal Pay Day falls on August 31 this year, based on current estimates it will take 61 days after the end of the financial year for Australian women to keep pace with men's annual pay.

Using biannual Australian Bureau of Statistics earnings data, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) recently found the gender pay gap increased by 0.8 per cent from November to May to 14.2 per cent.

That figure means Australian women are, on average, $261.50 worse off than men per week.

The gender pay gap does not refer to men and women are being paid unequally for doing the same job, which is unlawful in Australia. Instead, it measures the difference between their average earnings.

Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly said it was vital decision-makers grasped the link between gender inequality and violence against women, citing the nation's growing gender pay gap as a clear example.

"Tragically, we have seen since the onset of COVID-19 a rise in the incidence and severity of domestic and family violence," she said.

"Making sure that women are not left behind in the economic recovery from COVID will benefit the whole of our community.

"We need governments to apply a gendered approach to all policies, for example ensuring that economic stimulus packages do not disproportionately benefit male-dominated industries."

Ms Kinnersly also wants individual workplaces to step up their game, supporting calls by WGEA for self-commissioned gender pay audits.

"All women deserve to be not only safe, but respected, valued and treated equally. That is a fundamental human right," she said.

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Australian Associated Press