Equal Pay Day is a reminder that women worldwide still earn around 20 per cent less than men – the equivalent of working for free for the last two months of every year. UN Women’s new flagship report, The Gender Snapshot 2025, makes a compelling case that achieving gender equality is both a human rights imperative and a smart investment – one that could add $4 trillion to the global economy by 2030, unlocking stronger performance, innovation, and resilience across industries. The report also shows that companies are lagging despite the enormous influence the private sector has on jobs, capital, and innovation. But historical change is possible if the private sector acts now, as UN Women’s forthcoming report Unfinished Business: Private Sector and Gender Equality – Transforming Corporate Commitments into Equality for All Women and girls.