Traditional women's roles still being "undervalued"

Traditional women's roles still being "undervalued"

3.11.2008

Female employees are still getting paid less than men because of the traditional view of women's roles, it has been claimed.

The Fawcett Society suggests that the type of work females are perceived as being good at is "undervalued" and this, coupled with childcare responsibilities, can increase the gender pay gap.

It is also thought that employers may still be discriminating against women and paying them less than men for jobs that require similar skills.

However, it is difficult to raise awareness of this kind of situation, Jessica Woodroffe, head of campaigns for the Fawcett Society, believes.

She said: "The onus is on individual women if they think they have been discriminated against, to take a case to court, that can take years and a great deal of courage."

According to the Fawcett Society, women working full time earn an average of 17 per cent less than men.

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