South: International Women’s Day puts the pay gap in the spotlight

Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day. In this context, Dr Lynda Shaw, an independent cognitive psychologist and business neuroscientist explains that though differences between the brains of both genders may mark subtle differences in the workforce, it is the pay gap and the mounting pressure on women that are the greatest issues facing women in 2016. 

Shaw elaborated: “There are minute physical differences between the brains of the genders. For instance, women are more likely to have greater emotional intelligence and empathy because of having a larger limbic system.  This makes them more likely to be in touch with their emotions but also more vulnerable, and thus though both men and women are bullied in the workplace, women are more likely to take it personally and let their confidence be affected.  

"Similarly, the prefrontal cortex is larger in women and they are less likely to take risks in business. There are, however, ultimately no convincing differences between the brains of men or women that would make one better suited to a specific career than the other.” 

The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that the gender pay gap has fallen below 10% for the first time ever. In fact, women in full-time work are seeing their wages grow at more than twice the rate of men. But it is still estimated that women in Britain lose 9% of their wage after their first child and 16% after their second child.