International Equal Pay Day 2025: Achieving Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value

Every year on September 18, the world comes together to mark International Equal Pay Day, a reminder that women and men are still not paid equally for work of equal value.

The 2025 theme, “Achieving Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value to Ensure Women’s Economic Empowerment, Social Justice, and Overall Economic Growth,” emphasizes that fair pay is more than just a matter of justice. It is about giving women and families a chance to succeed, building stronger communities, and fueling global progress.

Yet, according to the United Nations, the gender pay gap remains one of the toughest inequalities to close. Women worldwide continue to earn less than men for the same or equivalent work. This injustice not only limits women’s opportunities but also weakens households and slows economic development.

The problem is global. Unequal pay cuts across industries and countries. It is driven by discrimination, stereotypes, and weak enforcement of existing laws. Without urgent change, women will remain undervalued and held back from reaching their full potential.

Speaking on the importance of this year’s observance, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Executive Director of FAME Foundation, said;

“Awareness is no longer enough. In 2025, we must dismantle the systems that undervalue women. Staying silent means agreeing with inequality. Equal pay is not a favor; it is a right.”

She continued;

“The gender pay gap shows up in workplaces every single day. It survives on silence, bias, and unfair systems. We must demand fairness, expose discrimination, and stop the excuses. Women’s work must be valued equally.”

At FAME Foundation, the call goes beyond only awareness; it is a call for action. By joining forces with governments, businesses, and communities, we can push for stronger policies, protect women from economic discrimination, and ensure fairness for all workers.

Unequal pay particularly hurts women in low-income and vulnerable jobs, where many remain undervalued despite their hard work.

Arabinrin Aderonke concluded by saying;

“Every unfair paycheck is a wound to our shared humanity. If you choose silence, you are part of the problem. Equal pay is not a fight of the past; it is the fight of today. And we will not look away. This generation must finish what others started. Equal pay is justice, and we are here to win it.”