The Equal Pay Act of 1963 is a federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of sex in the payment of wages for equal work.

The primary goal of the Equal Pay Act is to ensure that men and women receive equal pay for equal work, thereby eliminating gender-based wage discrimination.

Under the Equal Pay Act, "equal work" refers to jobs that require substantially equal skill, effort, and responsibility and are performed under similar working conditions.

Employers may use various defenses against equal pay claims, including seniority or merit-based pay systems, factors other than sex that justify pay differences, and exemptions from the Equal Pay Act.

The Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of sex in the payment of wages. This includes paying women less than men for the same work, but it does not prohibit paying men less than women for the same work.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 amended the Equal Pay Act to extend the statute of limitations for filing equal pay claims from 180 days to 180 days after the last discriminatory paycheck was issued.

The gender pay gap refers to the difference in average earnings between men and women. It is typically expressed as a percentage of men's earnings.

The gender pay gap is influenced by various factors, including occupational segregation, discrimination in hiring and promotion practices, lack of access to affordable childcare, and other systemic barriers.

Addressing the gender pay gap requires a comprehensive approach that includes enforcing equal pay laws, promoting equal opportunities for women in the workplace, providing affordable childcare, and addressing systemic barriers.

Equal Pay Day is a symbolic day dedicated to raising awareness about the gender pay gap and advocating for equal pay for equal work.

Iceland has consistently ranked as the country with the smallest gender pay gap, with women earning on average around 90% of what men earn.

Japan has one of the largest gender pay gaps among developed countries, with women earning on average around 70% of what men earn.

The gender pay gap has a significant impact on women's economic security, leading to poverty and financial insecurity in old age, making it difficult to save for retirement, and limiting their ability to invest in their education and career development.

The gender pay gap has a negative impact on the economy, leading to lower productivity and economic growth, reducing consumer spending and demand, and discouraging women from participating in the labor force.

Individuals can play a role in closing the gender pay gap by educating themselves about the issue, advocating for equal pay in their workplace, supporting organizations that are working to close the gender pay gap, and challenging gender stereotypes.