Equal Pay Day 2025: Why It Still Matters – And What YOU Can Do About It
April 10, 2025 is Equal Pay Day, and we’re here to talk about what that means, why it matters, and how you can be part of the change - no matter your age, background, or career path.
What Is Equal Pay Day Anyway?
Equal Pay Day marks the date in the new year that a woman, on average, has to work to catch up to what a man made in the previous year. As mentioned in 2025, that date falls on April 10. That’s more than three months of extra work for the same paycheque.
And the gap gets wider when we add other identities into the mix:
Black women, Indigenous women, Latinas, and racialized folks earn even less than white women.
Trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse people face additional barriers to fair wages: including outright discrimination and fewer opportunities for advancement.
So when we talk about pay equity, we’re talking about gender justice, racial justice, and economic justice all rolled into one.
“But I’m Still in School… What Can I Do?”
Great question. Pay equity affects everyone not just adults in the workforce. And youth have always been at the frontlines of change. Here are some ways you can make a difference:
Get Informed. Learn about wage gaps, labour rights, and how different communities are affected. Knowledge is power.
Talk About It. Whether it’s in your group chat, classroom, or community center—raising awareness helps shift culture and challenge bias.
Use Your Voice. Advocate for fair wages, speak up when you see unfair treatment, and support organizations working for equity.
Show Solidarity. Amplify voices from underrepresented groups. Lift each other up especially trans and racialized folks who are often left out of the conversation.
Why Equal Pay Still Isn’t Equal
Despite progress, we still live in a world where:
Women earn less for doing the same work.
Queer and trans folks face wage penalties just for being who they are.
Care work often done by women and gender-diverse people is undervalued and underpaid.
These aren’t just stats. They’re systemic. And that’s why we need to stay loud about it.
Let’s Talk About the Future
At Rainbow Connections, we believe in a world where everyone, no matter their gender identity, expression, or background can thrive. That includes earning fair pay for their work and being respected in the workplace.
We’re creating spaces where youth can dream big, build each other up, and demand better from schools, employers, governments, and society.
Want to dig deeper? Here are a few actions you can take this week:
Follow and support organizations like Equal Pay Coalition, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and Egale Canada.
Talk to a trusted adult or mentor about how pay works in different industries.
Join our Discord community chat tonight where we’ll be diving into this topic and sharing resources, tips, and lived experiences.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Equal Pay Day isn’t just about catching up it’s about moving forward together.
