Today, women in the United States are paid, on average, only 80 cents for every dollar paid to men. Our government has failed to protect us from paycheck discrimination and, as a result, this wage gap directly causes women and their families to have less money for basic necessities than men and families headed by men. The needs that these individuals and families are missing out on include, but are certainly not limited to, food, rent, child care services, education, clothing, insurance, and medication. With the money that women are losing because of this issue, they could certainly improve the condition of themselves and their families.
The perpetuation of the wage gap is a form of systematic oppression of women in this country and we can no longer stand for it. Our government has failed us by allowing this shameful practice to prevail and we have the responsibility to eliminate the wage gap that affects women in America. How can we, as women and as citizens of this nation, eradicate the wage gap that seeks to oppress us? One way is by spreading awareness and by participating in demonstrations, such as the Women’s March.
Another way is to support and spread information about congressional bills which seek to enact legislation to discourage paycheck inequality. There is currently a bill that has been introduced to Congress called the Paycheck Fairness Act. Among other things, this would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) in order to make it illegal to require employees to sign contracts which prohibit them from discussing wages and increase the penalties for equal pay provision violations. Another crucial bill that has been introduced to Congress is the Raise The Wage Act. This would eliminate the separate minimum wage requirements for tipped and newly hired employees. There is a large number of women who perform jobs for tips in America and this bill would greatly increase the amount of income for these women.
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One more bill that has been introduced is the Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace Harassment through Education and Reporting (EMPOWER) Act. The goal of this act is to prevent and respond to harassment in the workplace. This would include harassment on the basis of gender, which includes or can often lead to unequal pay for female employees. Women comprise one half of the population of this nation and when our government ceases to protect our rights as citizens, it becomes our duty to enact change. If you think that you, as an individual, can do nothing to enact change, you are mistaken. There are countless ways for individuals to support this cause, I will name three.
First, inform yourself on this subject. Read about the realities of the wage gap in America, the way that it effects women in this country, and congressional acts that could incite positive change. Second, speak on this subject. Speak to your friends, your family, your acquaintances, and to strangers. Spread the word about this oppression and about the ways that we can overcome it. Third, act on this subject. For example, attend demonstrations and call your local politicians about wage equality bills. We, the people, can succeed and overcome oppression if we work together.
