GENDER INEQUALITY IN THE LABOR MARKET

Abstract

This article addresses the persistence of gender inequality in the labor market and shows that, despite the increased participation of women in the economically active population (EAP), women face challenges such as lower wages, a double shift of work (paid and domestic), occupational segregation, and barriers to career advancement. Industrialization and world wars were key moments for the insertion of women in the labor market, but this insertion occurred unequally, with women occupying positions of lower prestige and remuneration. In Brazil, the 1934 Constitution prohibited wage differences by gender, but women still face significant disparities. The gender hierarchy in the labor market keeps women in subordinate positions, far from leadership positions and subject to stereotypes that naturalize their responsibility for unpaid domestic work. The economic crisis that began in 2016 exacerbated these inequalities, with the greater resilience of formal female employment linked to its wage undervaluation. To overcome these inequalities, the article suggests the implementation of public policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5), such as the valuation of unpaid domestic work, the promotion of shared responsibility in care, and the enforcement of pay equity. In addition, it is necessary to deconstruct gender stereotypes and encourage female representation in decision-making positions. Finally, it is emphasized that gender equity in the labor market is not only a matter of social justice, but an imperative for sustainable economic development and the construction of a truly democratic society. Overcoming these inequalities requires a collective commitment from all sectors of society.