From Pay Gap to Childcare – Govt answers equality questions

Figures from the latest Employment Survey put the average man's salary at just over £46,800, compared with around £38,100 for women. These figures are for full-time employees, being paid monthly.

This works out to women taking home around 80p for every pound earned by men.

However, in response to GBC questions, the Government says these figures should not be treated as an official gender pay gap calculation, pointing out, as an example, that they do not include self-employed earnings.

It adds ‘a gender pay gap exists in all countries in the world’. 

Nevertheless, it says it's encouraging that the latest Census reports increased female economic activity.

Women in Gibraltar also hold a smaller share of employee jobs.

Latest available figures show around 43% of jobs are held by women, compared with just over 57% by men.

However, No.6 notes the survey measures jobs rather than individual workers.

Education

Education figures show girls slightly outnumber boys progressing to university.

This academic year around 53% were female. 

Women also make up the majority of teachers in Gibraltar’s schools, accounting for around 77% of the profession.

The Government says schools are also working to encourage girls into STEM fields through initiatives such as coding classes and robotics clubs.

It also pointed to the Women’s Mentorship Programme, now in its seventh cycle, which has supported over 200 mentees.

Parenting

GBC also asked the Government about childcare policies.

In 2023, the Government said it was costing for consideration the possibility of introducing free childcare for children over nine months, similar to schemes in the UK.

However, in response to GBC’s questions, the Government said it is currently 'unable to address these issues due to treaty implementation work streams'.

On family support policies, maternity allowance currently stands at around £87 per week for 18 weeks, a figure introduced in 1999.

The one-off maternity grant currently stands at £700 - last updated in 2015.

The Government says it is keen to introduce statutory paternity and shared parental leave as soon as feasible.

Equality Minister Christian Santos spoke to GBC on the subject recently. You can watch the interview here.