One of the most important factor
arising from the 70's feminist movement is the recognition that women should
get equal pay for equal work, to see them as contributors and valued members
of society. Today, women are protected by the Sex
Discrimination Act. Yet the Equal
Opportunities Commission in 'Valuing
Women' puts next to the law on Equal Rights the reality against
the application of the act. It shows that flagrant inequality still persists.
The examples of unequal pay given in the site above is a point in case.
It also reveals that the changing role of women in society by means of
education as a way to promote themselves to the level of their expertise
is not working as it should.
However, individual employment right
includes Maternity rights. The Thompsons - Scotland Trade Union Briefing
page
give a guide on Maternity
Rights.
In most fields of employment women's
presence is felt and their voice is heard. Although there has been progress
in understanding the value of women's contributions in many employment
fields, there are still huge problems to resolve. Persistence of gender
inequalities - facts and figures in 1995-2000 statistics from
the 'European
Women Lobby' website show that the proportion of women in top
jobs is minimal compare to the entire women's task force. The latest report
by the Equal Pay Task Force to the Equal Opportunities Commision in pdf
format is worth visiting as well as the chart
on statistics from the European Commission.
It is true that statistics can always
be argued on their accuracy yet they can also demonstrate an overall trend.
In this case, it shows that even in the best qualified jobs women suffer
the discrimination of being underpaid. So, what is the problem? As imperfect
as the education system may be, most women have benefited from its teaching.
Nowadays many women are qualified for the career they have trained for,
yet it seems that only a small minority finds its way to the top. Are we
back to the old theme of women raising children? Time devoted to them and
the home does not permit a total devotion to a top job. The majority of
women when successful, either do not have a family or rely heavily on grandmothers
or may be some hefty childminding agency for help. More often they cope
the best they can, juggling between a routine job in mid-management and
their domestic duties. Other women find part-time more accommodating to
their need or choice of life. What about the woman at home? Roberta article:
'The Hand that Rocks
the Cradle should be Paid' at the "The Sallie Bingham Center
for Women's History and Culture at Duke University's Rare Book, Manuscript,
and Special Collections Library." translates well the need for women at
home to be recognised as a valued asset by society and should be paid accordingly.
