Yep, it’s 2018 and we’re in the 21st Century, but this phrase is still around because – quite frankly – it still does not exist.

There is no denying we have come a heck of a long way over the years towards equality between the sexes, but you would be blind to think our work in this space is anywhere near done.

The gender pay gap is one prominent issue in the gender equality discussion.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that, in many places within our region, the difference between a man’s median income and a woman’s had not narrowed in the five years between 2011 and 2016.

On average, men working full-time earn $245 a week more than women working in the same capacity.

How does this happen? The fact is, it’s just one of the big issues influencing gender equality.

There are various reasons for why men typically earn more than women: men often do not take time out of the workforce when they have children; some of the industries that have higher female employee rates are the ones with lower pay rates; and women complete a disproportionate amount of unpaid care work on average compared with men.

Another factor is bias.

Even though many of us these days would hope we do not discriminate based on gender, there are inherent prejudices and stereotypes within our thinking that, quite often, we don’t even realise are there.

These unconscious biases are inherent in everyone. At a gender level, they can limit both men’s and women’s choices.

We live in a world that has certain assumptions about the roles men and women will take on in society. These unconscious biases shape our decision-making.

It might mean a women does not apply for a raise or promotion at work because she is worried about how that might be perceived.

Or it might mean that a man does not consider stopping work when a baby arrives in the family, because society expects that the female partner will assume the role of primary caregiver.

We can’t keep thinking like this.

It’s time for us to all take a critical look at ourselves. Because recognising and becoming more aware of our inherent biases is something we can all do to ensure we continue pushing closer to parity.