Today is Equal Pay Day, a day to reflect on the gender wage gap.
Women in Canada still earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men.
Advocates believe that the inequality extends beyond wages, contributing to a gender pension gap and an increased risk of poverty among older women.
The Canadian Women’s Foundation is calling for action to bridge these gaps and promote economic equality. Anu Dugal, Vice-President of Community Initiatives for the Foundation, says there are many factors at play which create the gaps.
Dugal says in some communities, women with disabilities have a much higher pay gap than other women.
It’s largely due to barriers, breaks in their working life to deal with illness, or they choose to or have to work part time, she says.