Medan, November 6, 2024 – Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is taking significant steps to ensure gender equity within its workforce through a transparent compensation system and strong representation of women in leadership positions. The university's approach focuses on equal pay for equal work, based strictly on objective criteria, reinforcing its commitment to eliminating gender-based disparities and supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Clear Policies for Fair Compensation

At the core of USU's commitment to gender equity is its merit-based compensation framework, which determines salary based on objective factors such as position, tenure, and job performance.

  • Non-Discriminatory Criteria: As outlined in Rector Regulation No. 21 of 2017, salaries are set according to clear, non-discriminatory criteria, ensuring equal pay for individuals performing the same roles.
  • Performance Focus: While a formal gender pay gap audit policy is not yet in place, USU's reliance on a performance-based system ensures that compensation decisions are fair and are not influenced by gender or other discriminatory factors.

Strong Representation of Women in Leadership Roles

One of the most notable outcomes of USU’s commitment is the high representation of women in leadership positions. 51.9% of the university’s 788 lecturers in structural academic and administrative roles are women.

This figure reflects USU’s active effort to support women in leadership and decision-making roles, providing equal opportunities for advancement and participation in governance. This representation is a direct result of USU’s equitable promotion policies, which prioritize competence and performance over gender or other personal attributes.

Commitment to Gender Research and Empowerment

Beyond internal policies, USU is making significant contributions to gender research and social welfare:

  • International Collaboration: The university is involved in the EQUITY Program in partnership with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, focusing specifically on gender equality and social justice.
  • Academic Support: USU’s Faculty of Psychology has published research on organizational justice and work-life balance, directly supporting the university's broader commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all its employees.

Building a Foundation for Gender Pay Equity

The combination of a merit-based pay system, high representation of women in leadership, and academic engagement with gender-related research all contribute to the university’s broader efforts to achieve gender pay equity in the workplace. Through these actions, USU is setting a strong example for other institutions seeking to promote fairness, diversity, and inclusion in the academic sector.