There has been increased significance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across Kenya. Despite Kenyan employers incorporating DEI initiatives in their governance and operations, there are still some challenges on the journey to equality. The issue of the gender pay gap is one of those challenges that needs to be addressed.
In 2023, a UN Women report found that women earned 21 percent less than men in the East and Southern Africa region. Specifically, women in Kenya earn 17.7 percent less than their male counterparts when considered at the hourly level and 31.3 percent when considered at the monthly level. The World Economic Forum in 2023 ranked Kenya 77th out of 146 countries in terms of promotion of gender pay equity, down from 57th in 2022. This means that we comparatively have a long way to go.
