Fatou Lo on how to bridge the gender pay gap

Women all over the world cannot wait any longer for gender equality to be achieved, emphasized Fatou Lo, the UN Women representative in Rwanda, during an interview with CNBC Africa's Arnold Kwizera. Lo expressed her concerns about the slow progress in closing the gender pay gap and called for urgent action and bold measures to be taken. She highlighted the importance of shifting from mere conversations to concrete actions to ensure that women have equal access to opportunities and pay. The discussion centered on the need for institutions, governments, and individuals to play their part in implementing the necessary changes to promote equality in the workforce. As the world commemorated International Men's Day, Lo stressed that the time for talk had passed and that immediate steps were needed to address the longstanding issue of gender inequality. She noted that despite numerous commitments and pledges, the implementation of gender equality measures still faced significant challenges. Lo urged for continued efforts to create a conducive environment for women to excel both in the labor force and as entrepreneurs and investors. One of the key points raised by Lo was the importance of addressing the lack of women in leadership positions within organizations. She emphasized the economic benefits of having more women involved in decision-making roles, citing increased profitability for businesses with gender-diverse boards. Lo called for the promotion of women to not only entry-level positions but also to management and senior management roles. Another critical aspect highlighted by Lo was the issue of equal pay. She condemned the significant wage gap between men and women performing the same job and emphasized the need to eliminate this injustice. Lo pointed out the 'maternity tax' that women often pay due to career interruptions for maternity leave, which hinders their professional advancement. She advocated for paid maternity leave and flexible work arrangements to support women's participation in the workforce. Furthermore, Lo underscored the importance of inclusivity in the fight for gender equality. She emphasized the need for men to be actively involved in promoting gender parity and called for collaborative efforts between both men and women. Lo stressed the significance of working together to create a world that works for everyone, in line with the principles of the sustainable development goals. In addressing equity within the United Nations, Lo commended the progress made towards achieving gender parity in senior management positions. She highlighted the milestone achieved in 2018 when the UN achieved gender parity in its senior management for the first time. Additionally, she mentioned the increased representation of women in leadership roles within the UN agencies in Rwanda, signaling a positive shift towards gender balance within the organization. In conclusion, Fatou Lo's compelling call for urgent action to bridge the gender pay gap resonates with the overarching need for immediate and tangible steps to accelerate progress towards gender equality. With a focus on concrete measures, inclusivity, and collaborative efforts, the path towards closing the gender pay gap and promoting women's empowerment appears clearer, emphasizing the critical importance of sustained action and accountability at all levels.