Women still earn just 84% of typical man’s pay

March 12 symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. The wage gap is even greater for women of color. According to the latest U.S. Census figures, women who work full-time are paid on average just 84% of the typical man’s pay. Women still face barriers to accessing good-paying jobs, and carry a disproportionate burden for caregiving responsibilities in our society. Additionally, the lack of affordable child care and paid family and medical leave contribute to women being unable to join the workforce or stay in the workforce. Pay equity and family-friendly policies make good business sense and will help employers attract and retain the best talent. The

COVID-19 pandemic has deepened existing inequalities and has made the problem of unequal pay more urgent.

The pay gap over time results in women saving less for retirement than men, earning lower pensions and social security payments, having a larger burden of student debt and results in women having less economic security than male counterparts. We encourage women to advocate for themselves; state and federal governments to enact legislation that ensures equal pay for women; and businesses to review their compensation policies to ensure that historical policies and pay practices are not unfairly disadvantaging women.

— Ranelle Randles, advocacy committee chair, Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder

County, Boulder