Introduction

Women’s presence in leadership and governance is closely tied to their work and income. When women earn less or have insecure jobs, it is harder for them to reach decision-making spaces. The gender pay gap shows this clearly. It affects women in many sectors and regions, but economic equality is key to fair governance.

Gender Pay Gap in the Global North 

The gender pay gap is a global issue. South Korea has made significant developments in many sectors, but women there still typically earn less than men. South Korea has the largest gender pay gap among the 35 members of the OECD, at about 31 percent. Their pay gap is much higher than in Australia, at 10.7 percent, or Canada, at 16.5 percent. Women are also often compelled to leave their careers to care for children, which limits their access to leadership positions and perpetuates wage inequality. This pay gap also affects women’s political representation. In 2025, women represented only 20.3 percent of legislators in South Korea, holding only 61 out of 300 seats in the unicameral National Assembly. Additionally, in the most recent June 2025 presidential election, all the candidates were men.

In South Korea, the Equal Employment Opportunity and Work Family Balance Assistance Act requires a mandatory salary transparency system for companies with over 500 (and in some cases 300) people. This was approved statewide in August 2025. According to the Korean Women’s Development Institute, South Korea still has the worst gender pay gap in the OECD, but the gender wage gap is shrinking little by little. Throughout all countries of the OECD countries, progress still needs to be made to achieve equal pay.

In 2025, a study by UCL and Bayes Business School showed a problem with the statistics of the gender pay gap in the United Kingdom. The gap had been consistently underestimated for 20 years in the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS). The Office for National Statistics’ Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings underrepresented smaller private sector firms, where pay gaps tend to be wider. As a result, the true gender pay gap is slightly higher than the published figures, by about one percentage point. While the gap is not dramatically larger than previously reported, this finding shows that women’s earnings disadvantages have been slightly worse than commonly understood. The study also highlights the need to improve survey methods to ensure all sectors of the workforce are accurately represented. The World Economic Forum’s calculations show that, even in the highest-paying sector, women still earn 20 percent less.

Women in Agriculture 

Women’s leadership in agriculture is gaining global attention. The UN named 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Women have long supported farming communities. Yet, their work has often been ignored. They are still excluded from leadership and decision-making. Historically, formal land ownership and leadership roles in agriculture were reserved for men. Even today, women remain underrepresented and face many obstacles.

In 2025, women in agriculture earn on average 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. As a result, half of the people living in extreme poverty in rural areas are women. India demonstrates this gap clearly. About 84 percent of rural women depend on agriculture for their income. Women make up over 60 percent of the farm workforce, but only 6 to 10 percent hold leadership roles in agribusiness.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that closing gender gaps in agriculture could raise global GDP by one trillion dollars. It could also reduce food insecurity for 45 million people. Because of this, mentorship and leadership programs are growing. In El Salvador, FAO hosted Mujeres con Derechos in October 2025. The event gave rural women space to lead talks on food systems, climate action, and access to resources. It also highlighted the RECLIMA program, supported by FAO and the government. The program promotes sustainable farming, climate action, and gender equality. It supported 225,000 families, especially single mothers and Indigenous women.

Despite these efforts, large gaps remain. Women still face barriers such as limited access to land, credit, education, technology, and leadership roles. These barriers weaken food systems and slow progress. When women lead in agriculture, communities grow stronger, food security improves, climate resilience increases, and rural development expands. Women’s leadership in agriculture is essential for inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

The gender pay gap and unfair work conditions are not only economic problems. They also block women from leadership and governance and affect the global economy. When women earn less, lack job security, or work without pay, their chances of reaching decision-making roles are reduced. This affects all sectors, from agriculture to formal jobs. Pay transparency, better data collection/analysis, and strong gender-equality laws are needed to remove these barriers. The gender pay gap is present in all settings, from South Korea and the United Kingdom to agricultural economies. Closing these gaps needs strong laws, clear data, and support for women leaders. This is essential for fair and inclusive policies.

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