Category Archives: Writing

World Maritime Day

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International shipping transports more than 80 per cent of global trade to peoples and communities worldwide. Shipping is the most efficient and cost-effective method of international transportation for most goods; it provides a dependable, low-cost means of transporting goods globally, facilitating commerce and helping to create prosperity among nations and peoples. The world relies on a safe, secure and efficient international shipping industry, which is an essential component of any programme for future sustainable green economic growth in a sustainable manner.

The roots of World Maritime Day can be traced back to the establishment of the International Maritime Organization or IMO itself. The IMO, originally known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization or IMCO, was established in Geneva in 1948. However, it wasn’t until 1958 that the organisation came into force. World Maritime Day was first celebrated on March 17, 1978, marking the date when the IMO Convention entered into force in 1958. The annual day was started to draw global attention to the vital role of international shipping in supporting and sustaining the global economy and the importance of maritime security, safety, and the marine environment.

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World Maritime Day serves several crucial purposes in today’s globalised world. It helps raise awareness about the importance of shipping safety, maritime security, and the marine environment among the general public, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. The day showcases the significant contributions of the maritime industry to the global economy. Over 80% of global trade by volume is carried by sea, making maritime transport essential for sustainable development and economic growth. World Maritime Day fosters international cooperation in maritime affairs, encouraging nations to work together to address common challenges and achieve shared goals. The day provides an opportunity to recognise and appreciate the 1.5 million seafarers who operate the global fleet, ensuring the smooth flow of international trade. Through various events and activities, World Maritime Day helps educate the public about maritime issues, careers, and the sector’s importance to everyday life.

Each year, the IMO selects a theme for World Maritime Day that reflects current priorities in the maritime sector. These themes have covered a range of issues, from safety and environmental protection to the human element of shipping.

Yesterday was World Maritime Day 2024. The theme for this year is “Navigating the Future: Safety First!”. This year’s theme reflects the IMO’s work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment, whilst ensuring its regulatory development process safely anticipates the fast pace of technological change and innovation. The theme provides the opportunity to focus on the full range of safety regulatory implications arising from new and adapted technologies and the introduction of alternative fuels including measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, as IMO strives to ensure the safety and efficiency of shipping are maintained, and potentially improved so that the flow of seaborne international trade continues to be smooth and efficient.

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World Maritime Day is celebrated globally through many activities and events organised by governments, maritime organisations, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders. These celebrations engage the public, promote maritime careers, and foster discussions on key industry issues. World Maritime Day plays a significant role in shaping global maritime policy. The annual themes often align with or influence the IMO’s strategic directions and work programs.

In addition to individual country celebrations, the IMO organises an annual World Maritime Day Parallel Event. This event is hosted by a different IMO Member State each year, providing an opportunity for the host country to showcase its maritime capabilities and culture. The Parallel Event typically includes high-level conferences and panel discussions, technical workshops on maritime issues, cultural exhibitions and performances, site visits to local maritime facilities, and networking opportunities for industry professionals. This year’s parallel event will be hosted by Spain in Barcelona from 20 – 22 October.

The maritime industry plays a crucial role in achieving many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). World Maritime Day themes often reflect this connection, highlighting how the maritime sector can contribute to sustainable development.

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World Maritime Day stands as a testament to the enduring importance of the maritime sector in our globalised world. From its origins as a day to mark the IMO’s establishment to its current role as a global platform for addressing critical maritime issues, this annual observance continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the industry and the world at large. The day serves as a reminder of the vital role that shipping plays in our daily lives and the global economy. It highlights the dedication and skill of the millions of maritime professionals who keep our oceans safe and our trade flowing. The day also underscores the collective responsibility we all share in ensuring that maritime activities are conducted safely, securely, and with minimal impact on the marine environment.

Poem: The Simple Joys of Childhood

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I sometimes tell BB & GG that I had a better childhood than them. While the two of them did not grow up with technology like the children of today, they were exposed to it at a much younger age. My father was in IT, so I was exposed to technology much earlier than my peers, but our childhood was one that was free of pretty much all technology, with the exception of the radio and some television. Today’s poem is a throwback to that simple time, when life was about playing and enjoying life!

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The Simple Joys of Childhood

In the days of the eighties and nineties’ embrace,
Where childhood was golden, a magical place,
No internet buzz or smart device calls,
Just laughter and sunshine, and echoes in halls.

Mornings with cartoons, a bowl full of cheer,
Saturday wonders, so simple and dear,
Riding bikes freely, till the streetlights came on,
With scraped knees and smiles, till daylight was gone.

Secret societies and letters sent through the mail,
Whispered secrets and an adventurous tale,
Skipping rope rhythms, hopscotch on chalk,
Endless games played on sidewalks of talk.

Library visits, the scent of old books,
Adventures in pages, with longing looks,
Trading cards, stickers, and marbles in hand,
Simple treasures cherished, in a world unplanned.

Climbing up trees, feeling the breeze,
Catching fireflies with effortless ease,
Running through sprinklers, laughter in flight,
Campfire stories that flickered in the night.

Handwritten letters passed in the class,
Notes folded neatly, with whispers that last,
Ice cream truck melodies, coins in races,
Chasing the music, with joy on our faces.

Friendships were forged in the simplest of ways,
Shared in the parks, on long summer days,
Hide and seek giggles, and tag’s playful chase,
In a world of pure wonder, an innocent space.

No screens to distract, no digital chase,
Just the pure, simple joys of a slower-paced race,
In the heart of the eighties and nineties delight,
Childhood was magic, in the purest of light.

Short Story: The Twins

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The sun beat down mercilessly on the lush green canopy of the Nilgiri Mountains. Even in the shade of the dense forest, the heat was oppressive. Twelve-year-old twins Neel and Neelima Swaminathan trudged along a narrow path, sweat beading on their foreheads.

“I can’t believe Dad made us come on this hike,” Neel grumbled, swatting at a mosquito. “It’s too hot!” Neelima rolled her eyes at her brother. “Stop complaining, Neel. We’ve been cooped up in boarding school all year. Don’t you want to explore?”

The twins had just returned home to Gudalur for their summer holidays. After months in the regimented environment of their boarding school in Ooty, they were eager for adventure. Their father, Mukesh Swaminathan, was the head forest ranger for this section of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. He had suggested they accompany him on his rounds to reacquaint themselves with the forest.

“I suppose,” Neel conceded. “I just wish it wasn’t so hot. How much further, Dad?” Mukesh turned back to look at his children, a fond smile on his weathered face. “Not much further now. There’s a stream up ahead where we can rest and cool off.”

As they walked, Mukesh pointed out various plants and animal tracks, quizzing the twins on their knowledge. Despite their initial reluctance, Neel and Neelima found themselves getting drawn into their father’s enthusiasm. They had grown up in these forests, after all. It felt good to be home.

Finally, they reached the promised stream. The twins rushed to the water’s edge, splashing the cool liquid on their faces and arms. Mukesh chuckled at their eagerness. “Alright, you two. We’ll rest here for a bit before heading back. Don’t wander off too far, okay?”

Neel and Neelima nodded absently, already absorbed in exploring the stream bank. They picked their way carefully over the slippery rocks, searching for interesting pebbles and watching tiny fish dart about in the clear water.

Suddenly, Neelima froze. “Neel,” she whispered urgently. “Do you hear that?” Neel cocked his head, listening intently. At first, he heard nothing but the gentle burble of the stream and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Then, faintly, he caught it – a high-pitched trumpeting sound, followed by distressed squeals.

The twins exchanged a wide-eyed look. “Elephants,” they said in unison. Without a word, they scrambled up the bank towards the sound, their earlier fatigue forgotten. Their father’s warnings faded from their minds as curiosity took over. As they pushed through the undergrowth, the sounds grew louder. Finally, they burst into a small clearing and stopped short, mouths agape at the sight before them.

Two baby elephants, no more than a few months old, stood huddled together in the centre of the clearing. They were distressed, their trunks entwined as they trumpeted plaintively. One was slightly larger than the other, but both were small enough that Neel and Neelima could have touched their backs if they stood on tiptoes.

“Oh my goodness,” Neelima breathed. “They’re twins! Just like us!” Neel nodded, too stunned to speak. He had never seen wild elephants up close before, let alone baby ones. Despite their size, the calves looked fragile and scared.

As the human twins watched, frozen in place, the elephant calves suddenly noticed them. The larger one – probably the male, Neel thought – moved protectively in front of its sibling. It raised its trunk and let out a high-pitched trumpet that was probably meant to be threatening but came out more as a squeak. Neelima giggled despite herself. “They’re so cute!” she whispered to Neel. “But where’s their mother? Baby elephants don’t usually leave the herd.”

As if in answer to her question, a loud, booming trumpet echoed through the forest, causing the twins to jump. The baby elephants perked up, answering with excited squeals of their own. “We should go,” Neel said urgently, tugging on his sister’s arm. “If the mother elephant finds us here with her babies, she might think we’re a threat.” Neelima nodded reluctantly. As fascinating as the baby elephants were, she knew her brother was right. They turned to leave the clearing, but before they could take more than a few steps, they heard their father’s voice calling out.

“Neel! Neelima! Where are you?” The twins exchanged a panicked look. They were going to be in so much trouble. Mukesh burst into the clearing, his face a mixture of relief and anger when he spotted his children. “What were you thinking, wandering off like that? I was worried sick!” His tirade cut off abruptly when he noticed the baby elephants. His eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed as he assessed the situation. “Step away slowly,” he instructed the twins in a low voice. “Don’t make any sudden movements.”

Neel and Neelima obeyed, carefully backing away until they were behind their father. Mukesh kept his eyes on the elephant calves, who were watching them warily. “Dad,” Neelima whispered. “We heard them crying. I think they’re lost. Their mother was calling for them just now.” Mukesh nodded, his expression grave. “Yes, I heard it too. This isn’t good. If these calves have become separated from their herd, they’re in danger.”

“Can’t we help them?” Neel asked. Mukesh shook his head. “It’s too risky. If the mother elephant sees us near her babies, she might attack. We need to leave and call for backup.” As if on cue, another trumpet sounded, closer this time. The baby elephants trumpeted back excitedly, taking a few steps towards the sound before hesitating.

Mukesh ushered the twins out of the clearing quickly. Once they were a safe distance away, he pulled out his radio to call for assistance. As he spoke rapidly into the device, Neel and Neelima exchanged worried glances.

“We can’t just leave them,” Neelima whispered to her brother. “What if a predator finds them before their mother does?” Neel bit his lip, torn between concern for the elephant calves and fear of disobeying their father. But as he looked at his sister’s determined face, he knew they were thinking the same thing. When Mukesh finished his call, he turned to the twins with a stern expression. “I’ve called for a team to come to assess the situation. We’re going to head back now, and I don’t want any arguments. It’s not safe for us to stay here.”

Neel and Neelima nodded obediently, but as they followed their father back towards the stream, they lagged slightly. When Mukesh was a few paces ahead, focused on finding the safest path back, Neelima tugged on Neel’s sleeve. “We have to go back,” she whispered urgently. “We can’t leave those babies alone.” Neel hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, but we have to be careful. If Dad catches us…” “He won’t,” Neelima assured him. “We’ll be quick. We just need to make sure the calves are safe until their mother finds them.”

Taking advantage of their father’s distraction, the twins slipped away, retracing their steps back to the clearing. They moved as quietly as they could, hearts pounding with a mixture of excitement and fear. When they reached the edge of the clearing, they peered out cautiously. The baby elephants were still there, looking even more distressed than before. They had moved to the far side of the clearing, as if trying to go in the direction of their mother’s calls, but seemed too scared to venture into the dense forest alone.

“Poor things,” Neelima murmured. “They must be so frightened.” Neel nodded, feeling a surge of protectiveness towards the elephant twins. “Maybe we can guide them towards their mother somehow?” Before Neelima could respond, a loud crash came from the forest behind them. The twins whirled around, expecting to see their angry father. Instead, they found themselves face to face with a large, snarling leopard.

Neel and Neelima froze, terror rooting them to the spot. The leopard’s yellow eyes fixed on them, its powerful muscles coiled to spring. At that moment, the twins were certain their adventure was about to come to a very painful end. Suddenly, a high-pitched trumpet split the air. The larger of the elephant calves charged forward, placing itself between the human twins and the leopard. Its smaller sibling followed close behind, adding its own squeaky trumpet to the commotion.

The leopard, caught off guard by the unexpected intervention, hesitated. It was used to hunting smaller prey, not facing off against elephant calves, no matter how young. After a tense moment, it slunk back into the undergrowth, disappearing as silently as it had appeared. Neel and Neelima let out shaky breaths, their hearts racing. They turned to look at their unlikely saviours with awe and gratitude.

“They… they protected us,” Neel said in disbelief. Neelima nodded, her eyes wide. “I guess they decided we’re not a threat after all.” The elephant calves, seemingly satisfied that the danger had passed, turned their attention back to the human twins. The larger one reached out with its trunk, gently touching Neelima’s arm as if checking if she was okay. Neelima giggled at the ticklish sensation. “Thank you,” she said softly, reaching out to pat the calf’s trunk. “You were very brave.” Neel, emboldened by his sister’s actions, stepped forward to pet the other calf. “Both of you were,” he added. “You saved our lives.”

As the human and elephant twins regarded each other curiously, a bond began to form. Despite the vast differences between their species, there was a sense of kinship – two sets of siblings looking out for each other.

“We definitely can’t leave them alone now,” Neelima said firmly. “We owe them.” Neel nodded in agreement. “But what can we do? We don’t know where their herd is, and it’s not safe to wander around the forest.” As if in answer to their dilemma, another trumpet sounded in the distance – closer this time, but still too far away. The elephant calves perked up at the sound, trumpeting back eagerly.

“That must be their mother,” Neel said. “She’s looking for them, but she can’t find this clearing.” Neelima’s face lit up with an idea. “What if we lead the calves towards her? We can use the sounds to guide us.” Neel looked sceptical. “I don’t know, Neeli. It could be dangerous. What if we run into more predators? Or angry adult elephants?”

“We’ll be careful,” Neelima insisted. “And we have our new friends to protect us.” She gestured at the elephant calves, who were watching them intently as if understanding their conversation. Neel hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded. “Okay. But at the first sign of real danger, we come straight back here and wait for Dad and the rescue team.”

With their decision made, the twins turned to the elephant calves. “Come on,” Neelima said gently, gesturing towards the forest. “Let’s go find your mama.” To their surprise and delight, the calves seemed to understand. They moved towards the twins, their trunks outstretched trustingly. Neel and Neelima each took hold of a trunk, marvelling at the strange, leathery texture. Together, this odd little group set off into the forest, guided by the distant calls of the mother elephant and the instincts of two very determined sets of twins.

As they made their way through the dense forest, Neel and Neelima quickly realised that guiding baby elephants was no easy task. The calves, while eager to find their mother, were easily distracted by interesting plants or small animals scurrying across their path.

“No, not that way,” Neel said for what felt like the hundredth time, gently tugging the male calf’s trunk away from a colourful butterfly. “We need to go this way, remember?” Neelima giggled at her brother’s exasperated tone. “You sound just like Dad when he’s trying to get us to focus on our homework.” Neel rolled his eyes, but couldn’t help smiling. It was true – he felt a bit like a parent himself, trying to keep the curious calves on track.

They had been walking for what felt like hours, following the intermittent calls of the mother elephant. The sounds were getting louder, which the twins took as a good sign, but the forest seemed to be getting denser and harder to navigate. “I hope we’re going the right way,” Neelima said, pushing a low-hanging branch out of her face. “Everything looks the same in here.”

As if in response to her doubt, the female calf suddenly stopped, raising its trunk and sniffing the air. Its sibling did the same, and both calves let out excited trumpets. “What is it?” Neel asked, looking around nervously. “Do you think they smell their mother?” Before Neelima could respond, they heard it – the unmistakable sound of large animals moving through the forest, accompanied by low rumbles that the twins could feel in their chests. “The herd,” Neelima breathed, a mixture of excitement and apprehension in her voice. “They must be close.”

The elephant calves began to move faster, pulling the twins along with surprising strength. Neel and Neelima had to jog to keep up, their hearts pounding with a mixture of exertion and nerves. As they rounded a large tree, they suddenly found themselves on the edge of a small glade. And there, not twenty meters away, was a group of adult elephants.

The twins froze, awe and fear warring for dominance. They had seen wild elephants from a distance before, but never this close. The sheer size of the animals was overwhelming. The elephant calves, however, had no such hesitation. With joyful trumpets, they rushed forward towards a large female who was their mother. She met them halfway, her trunk caressing them gently as they pressed against her legs.

For a moment, Neel and Neelima forgot their fear, smiling at the touching reunion. Then the mother elephant raised her head, her small eyes fixing on the human twins with an unreadable expression. “Neel,” Neelima whispered, gripping her brother’s hand tightly. “What do we do now?”

The glade fell silent as the elephant herd became aware of the human presence. The adult elephants formed a protective circle around the calves and their mother, their massive bodies creating an intimidating wall. Neel and Neelima stood frozen, barely daring to breathe. They knew from their father’s teachings that elephants were generally peaceful animals, but they could be fiercely protective of their young. And right now, the twins were strangers near two very young calves.

“Maybe we should back away slowly,” Neel whispered, tugging gently on his sister’s hand. But before they could move, the two calves they had guided broke away from their mother. To the twins’ astonishment, the baby elephants positioned themselves between the human children and the herd, facing their family with raised trunks.

A series of low rumbles and soft trumpets followed – a conversation the twins couldn’t understand, but which meant something to the elephants. The mother elephant took a step forward, her gaze moving between her calves and the human twins.

Neelima, always the bolder of the two, decided to take a chance. Slowly, she raised her hand in a non-threatening gesture. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “We helped your babies. We won’t hurt them.” For a tense moment, nothing happened. Then, to the twins’ amazement, the mother elephant extended her trunk towards them. The calves immediately moved to the side, allowing her to approach.

Neel and Neelima stood perfectly still as the enormous trunk gently touched each of them, sniffing curiously. They had learned about elephants’ incredible sense of smell in school – perhaps the mother was picking up her calves’ scent on them? After what felt like an eternity, the mother elephant stepped back. She let out a low rumble that seemed to reverberate through the entire glade. To the twins’ amazement, the tension in the air dissipated almost immediately. The other elephants relaxed their protective stance, some even turning away as if the human children were no longer of interest.

“I think… I think she’s thanking us,” Neelima whispered, awe evident in her voice. Neel nodded, too stunned to speak. The elephant calves trumpeted happily, moving back to nuzzle their mother before turning to give one last friendly nudge to the human twins.

Just then, they heard shouts coming from the forest behind them. “Neel! Neelima!” The twins turned to see their father bursting into the glade, followed by several other forest rangers. Mukesh skidded to a halt, his eyes widening as he took in the scene before him.

“Don’t move,” he called out, his voice tense with worry. “We’ll get you out of there.” But before the rangers could take another step, the mother elephant moved, placing herself between the humans and the twins. She raised her trunk and let out a low, rumbling sound that was somehow both a warning and a reassurance. Mukesh froze, clearly torn between his protective instincts as a father and his knowledge as a ranger. He watched in disbelief as the elephant gently nudged Neel and Neelima with her trunk, guiding them towards him.

As soon as they were within reach, Mukesh grabbed his children and pulled them into a tight embrace. “What were you thinking?” he scolded, though his voice was more relieved than angry. “You could have been killed!” “We’re sorry, Dad,” Neel said, his voice muffled against his father’s chest. “But we couldn’t leave the baby elephants alone. They were lost and scared.” Neelima nodded vigorously. “And then they saved us from a leopard! We had to help them find their mom.”

Mukesh pulled back, looking at his children with a mixture of exasperation and pride. “You two are going to turn my hair grey before it’s time,” he sighed. Then he turned to look at the elephant herd, who were watching the reunion with what seemed like curiosity.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” one of the other rangers murmured. “Those elephants are acting like they’re protecting the kids.” Mukesh nodded slowly. “It seems my children have made some unlikely friends,” he said, a note of wonder in his voice.

Over the next hour, Mukesh and the other rangers observed the elephant herd from a respectful distance. The twins, under close supervision, were allowed to approach the calves one last time to say goodbye. As they watched the herd finally move off into the forest, Neel and Neelima felt a mixture of sadness and excitement. They knew they had experienced something truly special – something they would remember for the rest of their lives.

On the walk back home, Mukesh listened intently as the twins recounted their adventure. Though he was still upset about their disobedience, he couldn’t help but feel proud of their bravery and compassion. “You two took a huge risk,” he said seriously. “But you also showed great kindness and resourcefulness. I think you’ve learned an important lesson about the balance between helping animals and respecting their wild nature.”

Neel and Neelima nodded solemnly. “We understand, Dad,” Neelima said. “We won’t wander off like that again.” “But we’re glad we were able to help,” Neel added. “Those elephant twins were just like us in a way. They needed someone to look out for them.” Mukesh smiled, ruffling his son’s hair. “You’re right. And I’m proud of you both for caring so much. But next time, come to me first, okay? We can figure out how to help together.”

As they neared their home, where they knew their mother, Deepa would be waiting anxiously, Neelima turned to her father with a hopeful expression. “Dad? Do you think we’ll ever see those elephant twins again?” Mukesh chuckled. “Well, the forest is their home, and we must respect that. But who knows? Elephants have excellent memories. Perhaps one day, when you’re older and working in the forest yourselves, you might cross paths again.”

The idea lit up the twins’ faces. As they walked into their yard, already planning future careers as forest rangers or wildlife biologists, Mukesh couldn’t help but smile. His children had always loved the forest, but now they had formed a connection he never could have imagined.

That night, as Neel and Neelima drifted off to sleep, their dreams were filled with images of playful elephant calves and the vast, mysterious forest they called home. They knew that whatever the future held, their lives had been forever changed by their encounter with the elephant twins of the Nilgiris. And somewhere in the depths of the Nilgiri forests, two young elephant calves trumpeted softly in their sleep, perhaps dreaming of the strange, two-legged creatures who had helped guide them home.

International Equal Pay Day

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On September 18th each year, the world observes International Equal Pay Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness about the persistent gender pay gap and advocating for equal compensation regardless of gender. This important observance highlights the ongoing struggle for wage equality and serves as a call to action for governments, businesses, and individuals to address pay discrimination and create more equitable workplaces.

The gender pay gap remains a pervasive issue globally, with women on average earning less than men for work of equal value across nearly all industries and occupations. International Equal Pay Day shines a spotlight on this inequality and aims to accelerate progress towards achieving equal pay for work of equal value.

Equal pay for equal work is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of gender equality. When women are paid less than men for the same work, it perpetuates gender discrimination and has far-reaching negative impacts on individuals, families, communities, and entire economies.

At its core, equal pay is about basic fairness and economic justice. When women are paid less for the same work, it devalues their contributions and sends the message that their labour is worth less. This violates the principle of equal pay for equal work and undermines notions of meritocracy and fair compensation. Paying women equally is simply the right thing to do from an ethical standpoint.

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The gender pay gap contributes significantly to poverty rates among women and families. When women earn less, it reduces household incomes and makes it harder for families to make ends meet. Equal pay would boost incomes for women and families, helping to lift many out of poverty. This in turn improves quality of life, access to resources, and overall family well-being.

Closing the gender pay gap would provide a major boost to the global economy. When women have more income, they tend to spend more on goods and services, stimulating economic activity and growth. Some estimates suggest that achieving pay equity could add trillions of dollars to the global GDP. Pay equality allows economies to benefit from women’s full economic participation and purchasing power.

Research shows that companies with greater gender diversity and pay equity tend to outperform their less equitable peers. Equal pay helps businesses attract and retain top female talent, reduce turnover, increase productivity and innovation, and improve company reputation. Pay equity is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage for forward-thinking businesses.

The pay gap is both a cause and a consequence of broader gender inequalities in society. Closing the pay gap helps break down gender stereotypes, challenges occupational segregation, and creates more opportunities for women’s advancement. Equal pay is a crucial step towards achieving overall gender equality across social, political, and economic spheres.

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When women earn less over their lifetimes due to the pay gap, it reduces their long-term economic security and increases their risk of poverty in old age. Equal pay allows women to accrue more savings, build greater wealth, and have more resources for retirement. This enhances women’s financial independence and security throughout their lives.

Achieving equal pay sends a powerful message to girls and young women that their work is equally valued and that they can aspire to any career. It helps break intergenerational cycles of inequality and creates more opportunities for the next generation. Equal pay sets an important precedent of fairness and equality for youth.

The date of September 18th for International Equal Pay Day was chosen deliberately to highlight how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. In other words, it symbolically represents the extra days women must work to catch up to men’s earnings. The September 18th date is based on global estimates that women earn on average about 77% of what men earn for work of equal value. This translates to a pay gap of about 23%. Mathematically, women would need to work about 70 extra days into the new year, or until September 18th to make up this 23% difference.

The specific date may vary slightly from year to year and differs in various countries based on their pay gaps. However, September 18th was chosen as a representative global date to create a unified day of awareness and action.

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The September 18th date occurs near the end of the year to emphasise how long women must work to catch up. It falls on a weekday to highlight the issue in the context of the regular workweek. It’s after most schools are back in session, allowing for educational events. It avoids major holidays or national observances in most countries. The date provides time after summer vacations for organising awareness activities

By choosing a date that viscerally demonstrates the tangible impact of the pay gap, International Equal Pay Day aims to create a sense of urgency around addressing this persistent inequality. The September 18th observance serves as a powerful reminder that women are still playing catch-up when it comes to compensation.

While progress has been made in recent decades towards narrowing the gender pay gap, significant disparities persist around the world. Worldwide, women earn on average 77% of what men earn for work of equal value. The global gender pay gap is estimated at 23%. At the current rate of progress, it will take 257 years to close the global gender pay gap. The pay gap tends to be smallest in countries with strong equal pay laws and social policies. Scandinavian countries like Iceland and Norway have some of the smallest pay gaps while the gap tends to be larger in developing countries and regions with weaker labour protections. The pay gap is often wider for women of colour, immigrant women, and other marginalised groups. Factors like race, ethnicity, age, disability status, and sexual orientation intersect with gender to impact pay. An intersectional approach is needed to address pay inequalities faced by diverse groups of women.

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Women are overrepresented in lower-paying occupations and underrepresented in higher-paying fields. Even in female-dominated occupations, men tend to earn more and advance faster. Increasing women’s access to male-dominated, higher-paying fields is key to closing the gap. Women often face a “motherhood penalty” in pay and career advancement after having children. The pay gap tends to widen for women after becoming mothers. Better parental leave and childcare policies are needed to address this.

Women are underrepresented in senior leadership and high-paying executive roles. The pay gap tends to be largest at the top of the wage distribution. Getting more women into leadership positions is crucial for pay equity. While the numbers vary by country and context, the overall picture shows that the gender pay gap remains a persistent global challenge requiring continued focus and action. International Equal Pay Day serves as an important reminder of how much work remains to be done.

To effectively address the pay gap, it’s important to understand its complex root causes. The gender pay gap stems from a variety of interrelated factors. Despite laws against pay discrimination, both conscious and unconscious biases continue to impact hiring, promotion, and compensation decisions. Stereotypes about women’s capabilities and commitment can lead to lower starting salaries and fewer opportunities for advancement. Women are overrepresented in lower-paying fields and underrepresented in higher-paying STEM and leadership roles. This occupational segregation is influenced by societal expectations, education disparities, and discrimination.

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Women still shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care work for children and family members. This can lead to career interruptions, reduced hours, and missed opportunities for advancement that impact long-term earnings. When pay information is not transparent, it’s harder to identify and address gender-based pay disparities. Secrecy around compensation allows pay discrimination to persist unchallenged. Research shows women are less likely to negotiate salaries and raises, and face backlash when they do. This can lead to lower starting salaries that compound over time.

Women are more likely to work part-time, often due to caregiving duties. Part-time work tends to pay less per hour and offers fewer opportunities for advancement. While women have made great strides in educational attainment, gaps remain in some fields. Limited access to training and professional development can also hinder women’s career progression. Jobs traditionally associated with women, like teaching and caregiving, tend to be paid less than male-dominated professions requiring similar skills and education.

With fewer women in senior decision-making roles, there are limited champions for pay equity initiatives and role models for aspiring female leaders. Weak or poorly enforced equal pay laws, along with limited paid leave and childcare support, create an environment where the pay gap can persist. Understanding these multifaceted root causes is essential for developing comprehensive solutions to close the gender pay gap. Effective strategies must address both individual factors and broader systemic issues.

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Closing the gender pay gap requires a multifaceted approach involving governments, employers, and individuals.

What governments can do is strengthen and enforce equal pay laws, mandate pay transparency and reporting, implement comprehensive paid family leave policies, invest in affordable, high-quality childcare, promote women’s education and training in high-paying fields, set targets for women’s representation in leadership roles, and raise the minimum wage and improve protections for part-time workers.

Actions that employers can take include conducting regular pay equity audits and addressing any disparities, implementing transparent pay scales and job evaluation systems, training managers on unconscious bias in hiring and promotion decisions, offering flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance, actively recruiting and promoting women into leadership positions, providing mentorship and sponsorship programmes for women, and offering paid parental leave and supporting returning parents

As an individual, one should educate oneself about the pay gap and one’s rights, research salary information and negotiate fair compensation, support and mentor other women in the workplace, join or form employee resource groups focused on gender equity, advocate for pay transparency and equity initiatives at one’s workplace, challenge gender stereotypes and biases when one encounters them, and share caregiving responsibilities more equally in one’s household.

Collectively, we should support organisations working to close the pay gap, participate in Equal Pay Day awareness events and campaigns, advocate for policy changes with elected officials, boycott companies with poor track records on pay equity, use social media to raise awareness about the pay gap, encourage men to be allies in the fight for pay equity, and join unions or professional associations advocating for fair pay.

By taking action at multiple levels – from government policies to workplace practices to individual behaviours – we can accelerate progress towards closing the gender pay gap. Every step, no matter how small, contributes to creating a more equitable world.

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Data and transparency play a crucial role in identifying, understanding, and addressing the gender pay gap. Without accurate information on compensation across genders, it’s difficult to pinpoint where disparities exist and take targeted action to close them. Comprehensive pay data allows organisations to identify where gender-based pay gaps exist within their workforce. This data can reveal patterns across departments, job levels, and demographic groups. Regular collection and analysis of pay data enables tracking of progress over time. This allows organisations and policymakers to assess the effectiveness of various initiatives and adjust strategies as needed. Robust data on the pay gap informs the development of evidence-based policies at both the organizational and governmental levels. It helps policymakers understand the scope of the problem and design targeted interventions.

Transparent reporting of pay gap data raises awareness among employees, stakeholders, and the public. This increased visibility can create pressure for change and hold organizations accountable. When employees have access to pay information, they are better equipped to negotiate fair compensation and challenge discriminatory practices. Transparency reduces information asymmetry in salary negotiations. Public reporting of pay data allows for benchmarking and identification of best practices. Organisations can learn from peers who have successfully narrowed their pay gaps.

In many jurisdictions, pay data reporting is becoming a legal requirement. Transparency initiatives help organisations stay compliant with evolving equal pay laws. Openness about pay practices demonstrates a commitment to fairness and can build trust with employees, customers, and investors. It shows that an organization has nothing to hide.

To leverage the power of data and transparency, organizations and governments should conduct regular pay equity audits, implement pay transparency policies, publicly report gender pay gap data, use standardised metrics for consistent reporting, analyse intersectional data to understand disparities among different groups, invest in data collection and analysis capabilities, and foster a culture of openness around compensation. By embracing data and transparency, we can shine a light on pay disparities and create the accountability needed to drive real change.

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While closing the gender pay gap is fundamentally about fairness and equality, there is also a strong business case for pay equity. Companies that prioritise fair compensation regardless of gender often see significant benefits. Organisations known for pay equity are better positioned to attract and retain top talent, particularly women, who are increasingly prioritising fair pay when choosing employers. When employees feel they are compensated fairly, they tend to be more engaged, motivated, and productive. Pay equity contributes to a positive workplace culture. Diverse teams with equitable pay practices tend to be more innovative and creative, bringing a wider range of perspectives to problem-solving.

Companies that demonstrate a commitment to pay equity often enjoy improved reputations among customers, investors, and the general public. This can translate into brand loyalty and increased market share. Proactively addressing pay equity reduces the risk of costly discrimination lawsuits and regulatory penalties. It’s often more cost-effective to address disparities early than to face legal challenges later. Research suggests that companies with greater gender diversity and pay equity tend to outperform their less equitable peers financially. Pay equity can contribute to stronger bottom-line results.

When women are fairly compensated and represented at all levels of an organization, it leads to more balanced and effective decision-making. Many investors now consider gender pay equity as part of their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. Companies with strong pay equity practices may be more attractive to socially conscious investors. For companies serving diverse customer bases, pay equity helps ensure the workforce better reflects and understands its customers, leading to improved products and services.

As pay equity becomes increasingly important to employees, customers, and regulators, companies that address it now will be better positioned for future success. By recognising and leveraging these business benefits, companies can align their financial interests with the ethical imperative of pay equity. This creates a win-win situation where doing the right thing also drives business success.

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International Equal Pay Day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for wage equality and the importance of closing the gender pay gap. While progress has been made, significant disparities persist, requiring continued focus and action from governments, employers, and individuals.

The reasons for prioritising equal pay are compelling – from basic fairness and economic justice to improved business performance and accelerated economic growth. By addressing the root causes of the pay gap and implementing comprehensive solutions, we can create more equitable workplaces and societies.

As we commemorate International Equal Pay Day on September 18th, let it serve not just as a day of awareness, but as a call to action. Every person has a role to play in advancing pay equity, whether through advocating for policy changes, implementing fair practices in the workplace, or challenging biases in our daily lives.

Closing the gender pay gap is not just about numbers on a paycheck – it’s about valuing women’s contributions equally, creating opportunities for advancement, and building a more just and prosperous world for all. As we strive for wage equality, we move closer to realizing the full potential of half the world’s population.

Happy 21st Birthday!!

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Today, GG & BB turn 21! I can’t believe where the time flew. I remember bringing them back from the hospital as tiny babies who each fit the length of my forearm and today BB towers over me while GG is just a tad shorter than me. Today, they are legal adults in Singapore and can and should make their own decisions. I wonder how long it will take for me to crack and go to being my usual motherly, naggy self. 

This blog also owes them a great deal. I started this space when they were about seven and used to document their lives. Readers who have been following me from that time will remember the weekly updates I used to do for every year of their school life – from the stress of PSLE to secondary school admissions to getting their EAE offers to their O levels, everything was documented here. Many of my blog posts are also a reaction to a particular stage in their life journey. My current series, Adulting 101 is because of where they stand today, as was my previous posts based on where they were and what issues faced children of that age. Even the first short story I wrote, way back in 2011, was about them! I should restart that series – for those who joined late, I wrote a few stories about two monkeys, Chiki and Chica and the stories were either inspired by GG & BB or were things, I was sure would have happened to them!

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GG, you take your role as an older sister very seriously and even though you are only two minutes older than BB, you are like a second mum to him. I am sure even if BB does not appreciate this now, as he grows older, he will realise how blessed he is to have you in his life, as someone who is there looking out for him and keeping his best interests at the forefront.

GG, I am so appreciative of how far you have come in the last 10 years – from doing badly in your PSLE exams to fighting back and transferring to the express stream in secondary 3, to acing your EAE interview and getting admission to a course you enjoy and doing reasonably well in the course to getting a place in a public university. As I write this blog post, you have just registered to apply for the CA Singapore Foundation exams. I look forward to enjoying this journey and supporting you as a Singapore Chartered Accountant. However, it will take some time before this journey concludes. I am very proud of you, my sweet, smart and hardworking girl, my daughter, and my friend.  

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BB, you continue to be the sweet boy you always were, though there are times you exasperate me! After school, you joined the course you wanted, but somewhere down the line, lost your focus which resulted in the GPA you graduated with. Now that you are in national service and doing something similar to your diploma, hopefully, you realise the importance of having a university degree and work toward that. 

BB, there is so much potential in you that sometimes, I worry about all that you are not achieving because of this. I think back to those times when you would come to me for everything, today the roles have reversed. It is me and Dad coming to you for advice on tech and things that we do not know well. I hope that in the next year or so you get your priorities straightened out and come into your full potential and lead the life you were always meant to. I am looking forward to that and look to planning and journeying alongside you. I am super proud to call you my son, a young man who is loyal, smart and is someone with a big heart. I hope you continue to keep giving me the hugs and kisses like you used to do when you were little. 

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So Happy 21st Birthday GG & BB! My only advice to you as you begin to live life as a legal adult is to always be mindful of the choices you make in life, whatever you choose, do it responsibly and for the right reasons and make sure you give everything your 110% and have fun doing it!

And when you have your respective partners, remember to never forget each other and be there for your sibling.

Enjoy the rest of your life…