Abstract

Gender pay gap works as a common indicator of gender inequality in terms of employment and it is also referred to screen the advancement towards gender equality at the National and International level. The term Gender Pay Gap can be defined as the difference between the amounts of money paid to women and men for doing the same work. Women tend to suffer more inequality in wages as compared to men in unorganized sector. This inequality in wages is more prevalent in I.T. sector, manufacturing & agriculture sector where they are paid less than men, pointing out to their difference in capabilities. Women are deemed to be less powerful than men, it is a stigma attached with women. Until the social stigma against women at work environment and society is not removed, the gender justice cannot be done and the pay gap may show no signs of closing. Gender inequality is a grave issue globally. It serves as a hurdle in achieving better working conditions and economic equality. Though India has improved its gender inequality but the Constitutional mandate of Equal pay for work of equal value has to be strongly promoted and implemented for closing the gender pay gap. The present paper will analyze the reasons of pay gap in India, international commitments of gender equality to which India is a signatory, legal and constitutional mandates, response of Indian Judiciary on the issue, conclusion and way forward.

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