by Olivia Barrow, Staff Reporter- Dayton Business Journal

Ohio’s women lose more than $16 billion in income each year thanks to the disparity in wages between men and women, according to a new analysis released in honor of Tuesday’s Equal Pay Day.

Women who are employed full time in Ohio are paid just 77 cents for every dollar paid to men, amounting to a yearly gap in wages of $10,430, according to the study, conducted by the National Partnership for Women & Families, using U.S. Census Bureau data.

“This new analysis illustrates the great harm to families, states and metropolitan areas caused by the pervasive gender-based wage gap,” said Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “With most women serving as essential breadwinners for their families, the loss of this critical income has devastating consequences.”

Click here for PDF with more details.

But not everyone is in agreement that the wage gap is a result of gender discrimination. The Independent Women’s Forum today released a statement saying individual’s choices about career, education and other factors impact earnings.

The Forum said the statistics touted on Equal Pay Day mischaracterize the opportunities available to women and girls today. Click here to view a video explaining their position.