In 2009 BPW International organized a side-event at the CSW in New York and launched the International Equal Pay Day Awareness campaign. This was the start for the worldwide actions that followed in the next years. Countries like Austria, Belgium, France and Switzerland organized their local Equal Pay Day events in  2009. Since 2009 the number of countries that join the initiative has grown extensively.The first Equal Pay Day was organized by BPW Moldova in 2013.

Why is the Equal Pay Day different in each country?

The Equal Pay  Day date is a calculated date depending on the pay gap percentage in the country. With a special formular you calculate the number of days that women have to work longer than men to earn the same money as men the year before. This can be for example 49 days more because of 19 % pay gap. The date shows the differences among the countries. Where the pay gap is low the Equal Pay Day is earlier.

And it also shows the development over the years. When the date moves earlier in the year this shows a decrease of the pay gap. If it moves to a later date, this unfortunately means an increase of the pay gap.

Equal Pay Day at the international level

BPW Federations are also active outside of Europe. For Example Australia, New Zealand and Kanada started also in 2009 with Equal Pay Day Events.

You can find more information on the special Equal Pay Day International website: www.equalpayday.org