Soroptimist International of the Americas, working to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world, examines the issue of “women at work” in this white paper. Over the last century, women’s participation in the work force has increased steadily and dramatically. Despite this, women do not see improvements in job quality and their working conditions have not led to true social and economic empowerment, especially in the world’s poorer regions. Today, women worldwide on average earn approximately two-thirds of what men earn, with the gender wage gap existing universally. As such, women are left behind when it comes to retirement and pensions. Working women also still face sexual harassment and domestic violence in the workplace, as well as issues around promotion and “breaking through the glass ceiling.” In addition, working women who are mothers often disrupt work and career paths to raise children. Decent work and wages help lift women and their children out of poverty and contribute to the living standards and economies of countries everywhere. Until policy makers and employers place women’s employment at the center of social and economic policies, women will remain second-class citizens in the world of work and the feminization of poverty will continue into future generations.

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