I am a concerned citizen of India, am writing this Appeal to draw your attention to the critical issue of gender pay gap and workplace discrimination that persist in our nation. It is with deep concern that I bring forth this matter, aiming for urgent action to rectify these disparities and promote gender equality in our workforce.

Supporting Facts and Data:

Gender Pay Gap Reality:
Gender Pay Gap in India refers to the difference in average wages or earnings between men and women in the country. Despite constitutional provisions and various efforts to promote gender equality, the gender pay gap remains a significant issue in India.

According to the Report “Women and Men in India 2022″ released by the National Statistical, wage disparity between men and women has widened over the past decade, with the gap opening up further at higher wage levels.

Men in India capture 82% of labour income, while women earn just 18%, according to the first-ever estimates of the gender inequality in global earnings presented in the World Inequality Report 2022 released.

To address the gender pay gap, there is a need for greater awareness and advocacy around the issue, as well as policy measures that promote gender equality and economic empowerment of women.

According to recent reports from reputable sources such as the World Economic Forum, India ranks among the lowest in terms of gender pay parity. On average, women in India earn significantly less than their male counterparts for the same work. This unjust wage gap hampers women’s economic independence and perpetuates inequality.

Unequal Representation in Leadership Roles: A comprehensive analysis conducted by Catalyst, a leading nonprofit organization, reveals that women’s representation in leadership positions within Indian companies is alarmingly low. This lack of women in decision-making roles further exacerbates the gender pay gap and hinders women’s professional growth.

Workplace Discrimination: Various studies, including the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), have highlighted instances of gender-based discrimination in workplaces across the country. Women often face discriminatory practices, such as unequal access to promotions, fewer training opportunities, and exclusion from critical decision-making processes.

Cultural Norms and Stereotypes: Deep-rooted cultural norms and stereotypes continue to influence workplace dynamics. The stereotype that women are solely responsible for household duties often leads to unconscious biases, further limiting women’s career prospects and reinforcing discriminatory practices.

Legal Framework Inadequacies: While India has laws in place to address workplace discrimination and gender pay gap, implementation and enforcement remain significant challenges. The lack of stringent measures and penalties for non-compliance contributes to the persistence of these issues.

Petition Objectives:

In light of the aforementioned concerns, I earnestly request for support on the following points:

Stricter Enforcement of Equal Pay for Equal Work: Implement and enforce laws that ensure equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender. Strengthen penalties for organizations found guilty of gender-based wage discrimination.

Promotion of Gender Diversity in Leadership Roles: Encourage and incentivize companies to actively promote gender diversity in leadership positions. Set targets and guidelines for the representation of women in decision-making roles.

Gender Sensitization and Training: Mandate gender sensitization programs for workplaces to raise awareness about unconscious biases and discriminatory practices. These programs can contribute to fostering an inclusive and unbiased work environment.

Transparency in Salary and Promotion Policies: Advocate for transparent salary and promotion policies that clearly outline criteria and processes. This transparency will help prevent discrimination and ensure fair treatment of all employees.

Strengthening Legal Framework: Review and amend existing labor laws to strengthen provisions against gender-based workplace discrimination and pay gap. Ensure that organizations found in violation face substantial penalties.

By taking bold and decisive actions to address the gender pay gap and workplace discrimination, India can pave the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous society. I believe that your esteemed leadership has the power to effect lasting change and champion the cause of gender equality in our nation.

Related Initiatives/Constitutional Provisions:
Constitutional Provisions:
The Constitution of India guarantees equal pay for equal work for both men and women under Article 39(d) and Article 42. It also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender under Article 15(1) and Article 15(2).
The Equal Remuneration Act:
This act was passed in 1976 to ensure that men and women receive equal pay for equal work. The act applies to all organizations, whether public or private, and covers both regular and casual employees.
The Maternity Benefit Act:
This act provides for maternity leave and other benefits to women employees. It was amended in 2017 to increase the duration of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act:
This act was passed in 2013 to provide protection against sexual harassment at the workplace. It requires all employers to establish a mechanism for redressal of complaints and to ensure that women are not discriminated against in terms of pay and conditions of work.
Others:
In 2022, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a “pay equity policy”, saying that its centrally-contracted men and women players would get the same match fees.

Please support for this appeal .