Editorial: I CAN'T understand in this day and age why women in Gympie and around the country are earning so much less money then their male counterparts.

Women in the Gympie region, on average, are getting paid $18,000 a year less than then men employed in similar industries.

Because of our region's low average wage it equates to a 59% difference in annual remuneration.

The national pay gap is just under 19%. It's a major issue for women around Gympie especially with the number of single mums in the community.

I know the figures are skewed because there are more men in high-profile, high-paying jobs.

But it begs the question, why aren't there more women in these positions?

Research shows women are less likely to put themselves forward for promotion and that some bosses think men are more capable.

I don't know why.

I'm the boss and the husband of very capable women; they are hard working, clever, energetic and want to achieve.

I couldn't do my job without them or their male colleagues.

I think it's time we really took a long hard look at who we employ and pay people on their ability not their gender.