Sparkke at the Whitmore is taking 9.2 per cent off all beverages for female-identifying drinkers on International Women’s Day this Sunday, in a bid to shine a light on Australia's persistent and pernicious gender wage gap.

“On International Women’s Day we welcome the opportunity to call out the gender pay gap, measured and recognised by the Australian Government, because it illustrates real economic disparity between men and women in the workforce,” explains Sparkke Change Beverage Company co-founder, Kari Allen.

“Women have been demanding economic equality for decades [and] apparently, women must get louder. Our campaign is designed to help crank up the volume.”

The female-led brewing company and social enterprise will offer a 9.2 per cent discount on all their beverages – including locally and female-brewed beers and ciders, plus cocktails and mocktails – at Sparkke at the Whitmore on International Women’s Day, this Sunday, 8 March.

Recently published federal data highlights that between November 2018 and November 2019, the difference in full-time earnings for South Australian women versus full-time men grew from 9.4 per cent to 10.3 per cent. (South Australia and New South Wales were the only states to record a widening pay gap among full-time employees.)

South Australian stats butted-up against national figures, which revealed a reduction in the wage gap from 14.1 per cent to 13.9 per cent in the same period.

The average ordinary earnings for a full-time working woman is $1508.50 compared to $1751.40 for men, which means women pocket $242.90 less than men.

For the sake of context, $242 dollars could allow you to enjoy a set lunch menu at fine-dining establishment Orana, and splash out on a couple of cocktails too.

It’s also important to note that the gap is influenced by a number of factors, which the report succinctly outlines as:

• discrimination and bias in hiring and pay decisions
• women and men working in different industries and different jobs, with female-dominated industries and jobs attracting lower wages
• women’s disproportionate share of unpaid caring and domestic work
• lack of workplace flexibility to accommodate caring and other responsibilities, especially in senior roles
• women’s greater time out of the workforce impacting career progression and opportunities.

Because Sparkke is founded and led by women, Kari says, Sparkke’s one-day discount, which raises awareness of the economic and social pitfall, is a no-brainer.

“We are fully committed to inclusivity across all genders and identities,” she says.

“We are also calling for an annual metric that proactively monitors and addresses pay gaps based on gender, sexual identity, disability, race or ethnicity for all members of our community.”

The news coincides with another Sparkke announcement: a new mentorship program. Titled The Kitchen Sisters, the development opportunity would allow female chefs to serve week-long exchanges at other restaurants.

While the pay gap has diminished since the 1980s, Dolly Parton’s words from her song “9 to 5” still ring true: “It’s a rich man’s game no matter what they call it / And you spend your life puttin’ money in his wallet”.

But, all career-driven women should remember: the “[pay gap] will drive you crazy if you let it.”