Though global economic growth is increasing rapidly, asymmetries still exist in the industrial market that affect economies and societies globally. The gender pay gap is a persistent social injustice, referring to the difference between the salaries of employed men and women.

Eliminating this gap has proven challenging even after decades, though there has been a considerable improvement in the average earnings for females.

There is no single reason for the gender pay gap. One reason is occupational segregation where women do valuable work but in low-ranking posts, as their male counterparts are preferred for higher posts and dominate higher-paying fields.

There are several other barriers that women face which might include patriarchal structures such as bias, and limited possibilities of promotion and opportunities which dictate their income level. Women further hesitate to ask for promotions or increases in their salary to avoid sounding aggressive or pushy.

Besides these factors, society expects women to leave their careers to raise their children, which significantly hinders their prospects of progressing in their careers, which may be demanding.

Characteristics such as persistence in men are seen as determination and proof of commitment, but ironically, the same traits in women make them perceived as argumentative and demanding. The unfortunate but bitter truth is that females in India, on average, earn 28% less than their male counterparts and this gap has fluctuated by 7% after the pandemic.

India has taken steps to reduce the gap with policies like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2005 and the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961, but at this pace, it will take over 70 years to finish.

In conclusion, a bold and radical change of thinking in society is needed to complete this goal, and only then will it improve economic growth and justice as a whole. Reforms are needed before the dreams of the youth are overshadowed by the same injustices.