The wage gap is sexual control; women continue to struggle to make ends meet

BY STEVEN KASZAB

The “Kvennafri” was declared in Iceland the other day. The Women’s Day off is a strike against the nation. Some women now know that only their actions will force society to treat them equally.

When North Americans think about the EU, we think about a very progressive national collective of nations, treating their distinct populations to all the benefits of an advanced society. Despite the promotion of gender equality in European society, especially the gap between men and women’s salaries, many women continue to live in poverty, social assistance and struggle to make ends meet.

The average gross pay of women in the Balkans and Eastern Europe remain much lower than their male counterparts who make 11-24% more. The benefits offered to men far exceed the woman’s packages. The difference between salaries is going down over time, but the degree is not significant. If the gross average salary of a woman in Serbia is 94,911 dinars (@$995.00 dollars) these women suffer financially to survive. Many Serbian and Balkan families have their adults all working to meet their needs.

Gender discrimination, and traditional lifestyles are possible reasons. Women tend to stay home more often than men, and mothers aged 25-45 have far more difficulty finding employment than do single ladies. Sarita Bradas of the Center for Democracy Foundation say jobs for women are typically less valued than those of men.

Women have a steep mountain to climb the corporate ladder as well. Men occupy strategically significant and better paying positions, women are often placed in closer contact with the consumer. Men remain in leadership positions, and women are directed to maintenance-service positions.

In Dominica and Jamaica women make 15-20% less than men. Barbados employs 75% of its women, who make 7% less than the qualified men in the similar positions. Latin American stats show the salary difference to be much similar to the EU, where men make up to 25% more than their counterparts, with Argentina being the highest at 31%, Ecuador the lowest at 1.8%.

Adding pain to injury, Latin and Caribbean women are much higher educated than their counterparts. The traditional idea of male dominated home, with the male bringing home the bacon may be false, but still believed in much of the world today.

Tradition places women outside of the system, yet women need to realize they are the system, the workforce, financial determiner and national conscience of a society that uses and abuses them daily. Use your most powerful tool in your arsenal against prejudice placed upon you by your male counterparts. Strike, withdrawing all the family intimacy, business and social services you offer men, your oppressors.