When most women are effectively excluded from most occupations, human resources are wasted and income levels are reduces it is a major labor market rigidity , reducing labor market s ability to respond to change. Most industrialized nations have developed anti-discrimination policies and equal opportunity measures to close the gap between the salaries of men and women. Wage differentials between male and female workers exist in all industrialized nations, but the size of the wage differentials varies according to country. More recently, countries and companies have been looking at gender equality in employment by examining comparable worth. When comparable worth principles are violated, there is said to be de facto discrimination.
Women still have most of the household and childcare responsibilities.
Married women who are employed and have children under 15 carry the heaviest burden, almost 11 hours per day. In Bangladesh women average 31 hours per week in upaid work, men just 14. In Eastern Europe, the division is worsening. For women, it is opposite. All of the industrial nations except Australia and the USA now provide paid and job protected maternity leave for employed women.