Women are employed in low-paid work primarily because of factors such as limited education and skill formation, greater representation in low-paying sectors, societal and occupational gender biases, and career interruptions related to caregiving responsibilities. Many women have less access to education and skills necessary for higher-paying jobs, often work in the unorganized sector or sectors like care, health, and education that traditionally pay less, and face workplace discrimination and lower negotiation power for wages. Additionally, women are more likely to work part- time or take career breaks for childcare, which impacts their earnings and career progression. These factors combined lead to women being disproportionately represented in low-paid jobs compared to men.
Key Reasons for Women in Low-Paid Work
- Limited Education and Skills: Many women have lower educational attainment and skills, reducing their eligibility for higher-paid jobs.
- Sectoral Concentration: Women are overrepresented in traditionally low-paying sectors like caregiving, education, and health services.
- Workplace Discrimination: Gender biases and stereotypes lead to women being paid less than men for similar work and fewer women in higher managerial roles.
- Part-Time Work and Career Interruptions: Women often work part-time or have career breaks because of family responsibilities, reducing their earnings and advancement opportunities.
- Negotiation and Confidence: Women may be less likely to negotiate salaries aggressively, contributing to lower wages.
These interconnected factors explain why women disproportionately occupy low- paid work worldwide.
