WEDNESDAY, March 8 is International Women's Day.

It is a day to reflect on two issues still affecting women in their quest for true equality in society.

While our society does not offer women equal pay for equal work some men will never respect their rights as equals.

How we will ever close the gender pay gap when we have the Fair Work Commission slashing penalty rates for workers in pharmacies, hospitality, fast food and retail outlets?

A high proportion of retail workers are women, about 51.8%.

In 2016, the gender pay gap in the retail trade industry sat at 16.2%.

Meanwhile wages are either falling or stagnating and under-employment is at a record high.

Women make up 46.2% of the workforce and almost half are part-time with most saying they are under-employed.

The penalty rate cuts will impact on many working women at the same time as the government seeks to, or is, cutting family payments, childcare and pensions.

What a difference it could make to so many if our government adopted this year's IWD theme "Be Bold For Change" and legislate for gender pay equality now?

ROBYN DEANE

Bli Bli