Absolutely, men and women should be paid equally for the same type of work. It’s a matter of fairness and equality. If two people are doing the same job with the same level of skill, experience, and responsibility, there’s no reason why their gender should affect their pay. Equal pay ensures that everyone gets what they deserve based on their work, not on outdated biases.

This is still an issue in many countries because of deep-rooted cultural norms and stereotypes. For years, men were seen as the primary breadwinners, and women’s work was often undervalued, especially in jobs traditionally held by women. Even today, many industries still reflect these old ideas. Plus, unconscious bias plays a role, with employers sometimes unknowingly favoring men when it comes to promotions and salaries.

Governments should introduce stronger policies that enforce transparency in pay, like Iceland has done. Pay gap legislation is a good start, but governments also need to promote gender-neutral education and shared parental leave, so men and women both have opportunities to contribute at home and at work. It’s also important to raise awareness and address unconscious biases through education and workplace training.