Today is Equal Pay Day which marks the point in the year when women effectively stop being paid relative to men.

On average, women are paid 18.4 per cent less than men and Equal Pay Day is used by campaigners who claim women across the country are working for free from November 10 onwards due to the gender pay gap.

Women are being encouraged to put on their ‘Out of office’ to force corporations to make a change and pay equally to both men and women.

But what do you think? What about those who cannot afford not to work? If you are the only one providing for your family, is it realistic to take part?

The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights.

Essentially the day is a way for women to emphasise that if they are not being paid the same, then they shouldn’t be at work at all.

In 1970 the Equal Pay Act stated that it was a requirement for equal treatment of men and women in the same employment.

Yet, as it stands, on average a woman working full-time earns 85.9p for every £1 a man is paid.

“At current rates of progress, it will take 62 years to close it,” The Fawcett Society says of the pay gap.

How can you get involved?

The Fawcett Society has a number of groups all over London. The south London group in particular has been raising awareness within their community. See the website for more details at www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/

You can also join the Women’s Equality Organisation, which has groups over south London based in Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Richmond and Wandsworth - see http://www.womensequality.org.uk

Let me know what you think about this? emily.hennings@london.newsquest.co.uk