22 February is European Equal Pay Day
22 February is European Equal Pay Day, highlighting the importance of closing the gender pay gap on the continent. The date symbolises the point at which women, on average, start to be paid for the same work as their male colleagues, which has been the case since the beginning of the year.
The initiative is promoted by the European Commission and human rights organisations, with the aim of drawing attention to persistent inequalities in the labour market. According to recent data, women in the European Union still earn, on average, around 13% less than men per hour worked, a difference that is reflected in their careers and pensions.
European Equal Pay Day is marked by awareness-raising campaigns, public debates and mobilization actions, seeking to promote policies that ensure pay transparency, equal opportunities and an end to gender discrimination.
The date serves as a reminder that, although progress has been made, equal pay remains an objective to be achieved, reinforcing the commitment to a fairer and more equitable society for all.
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