Every year, March 8 marks the International Women’s Day. A symbolic date to recall past struggles, but also to assess the inequalities that persist today, particularly in the workplace.
While the situation of women has improved over the past decades, the gaps remain real: lower wages, more precarious careers and involuntary part-time continue to be part of the daily life of many working women.
Persistent pay gaps
In France as in many countries, women continue to earn less than men. According to INSEE data, women earn on average 22% less than men. At the same working time, they earn 14% less than men.
Several factors explain this difference. Women are more represented in lower-paid sectors such as services, health care or education. They also hold fewer leadership positions.
But pay discrimination still exists: at equal work, some female employees continue to be paid less than their male colleagues.
Part-time work, a predominantly female reality
Part-time work concerns very predominantly women. In France, nearly 8 part-time jobs out of 10 are held by women.
For some, this choice allows balancing work and family life. But for many, it is an involuntary part-time, which leads to lower earnings and a smaller retirement.
The distribution of domestic tasks still plays an important role. Women continue to spend more time on family and household activities than men.
Essential but undervalued professions
The health crisis reminded us that many essential jobs are predominantly performed by women. This is especially true in the health care, home care, education, or retail sectors.
These professions are indispensable to the functioning of society, but they are often less well recognized and less well paid.
This situation raises questions about the valuation of work called “feminine,” long considered an extension of domestic roles.
Progress nonetheless
Despite these persistent inequalities, progress is real. More and more women are reaching positions of responsibility, starting businesses, or making their mark in sectors long dominated by men.
Public policies and corporate initiatives also help shift mindsets: professional equality indices, extended paternity leave, or mentorship programs.
International Women’s Day thus reminds us that professional equality remains a goal to be achieved. And that advances come as much from changes in laws as from evolving attitudes.
Because beyond the statistics, it is also about fully recognizing the place of women in the economy and in society.
