United Nations Human Rights Council calls for Equal Pay Day

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At the 41st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) steering committee member Iceland and other core members, Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Panama, South Africa and Switzerland, initiated a resolution on equal pay. Recommending that the General Assembly declare an international equal payday to celebrate the efforts to achieve equal pay for work of equal value and to urge further action for the goal of equal pay for work of equal value for all.

Resolution (A/HRC/41/14) on equal pay between women and men recognise and express a deep concern that pay inequality continues to persist around the world. It welcomes the work of EPIC to galvanise efforts of relevant stakeholders for continued and strengthened implementation of the shared commitment to achieving equal pay. The resolution salutes the Coalition’s continued sharing of experiences, lessons learned and good practices in overcoming challenges to the full implementation at the national and international levels of equal pay and the evaluation of progress in achieving it.

The resolution, adopted by consensus, urge states to enact laws, regulations, policies and programs to ensure equal pay for work of equal value and to eliminate the gender pay gap. It also encourages all actors to continue to support the goal of equal pay for work of equal value and the work of EPIC.