NHK

G7 gender equality ministers call for closing pay gaps between men and women

Gender equality ministers of the Group of Seven nations have called for correcting wage gaps between men and women by promoting flexible working styles as well as equitable and transparent pay policies. They also stressed the need to shift perceptions of gender roles.

The ministers issued a joint statement as they wrapped up their two-day meeting in the city of Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Sunday.

The statement underlines the need for a comprehensive approach to close the long-standing gender pay gap, which it calls "a composite product" of structural factors.

It says the factors include under-representation of women in executive and managerial positions, unequal distribution of unpaid care and domestic work, and personnel and wage systems that disadvantage women in all their diversity.

The statement says women's share in executive and managerial positions could grow by facilitating flexible working models and the option of part-time work in those posts.

It says, "Pay equity and transparency policies can be effective solutions to support equal pay for equal work or work of equal value."

The statement says "measures to break down gender roles, stereotypes, and biases are needed" to ensure that men and boys in all their diversity participate more in unpaid care and domestic work.

The document also says the coronavirus pandemic "significantly impacted" employment and work of women in such sectors as services, care and health.

It says many women exited the labor market or reduced their working hours to take care of their children or other family members.

The statement says lessons must be learned from experiences during the pandemic "to further advance gender equality and empower all women and girls." 

The document says such experiences "have made it clear that organizations with diverse workforces...are more resilient to crises" and that such diversity is "an important factor" for corporate growth.

Japan's Gender Equality Minister Ogura Masanobu, who chaired the meeting, told reporters he learned the G7 countries are facing common issues and promoting various measures with a strong determination to solve them. He said they will continue their discussions to resolve the issues while sharing effective initiatives.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230626_01/