Dear Next President,

Voting is an important part of America’s democracy, but I am still too young to vote at the age of 13. So, I resorted to writing this letter. Many issues occur in America; we are facing terrorism, extinction of animals, debt, and many other problems. But an issue that concerns me most is gender equality in America, which prompted me to write this letter.

We always had problems with gender equality in our society. Women are mocked because of their gender, or men say we can’t do things because we are girls. I know all across the country, women, and some very kind men, are fighting for women’s rights. We are able to vote and go to school and have many other rights, but many women are concerned that their gender does or will hurt their careers. I know I am. As an 8th grader, I am still scared that I will not achieve what I dream to be. One day, I hope to be an astronomer, and if gender inequality continues, I am afraid I will not achieve my goal. And even if I do get the job, will I get paid the same as my male coworkers?

The issue that is quickly becoming more noticeable is the pay gap between women and men. According to the World Economic Forum, United States is #28 on the list of the world wide gender gap. Iceland, in first place, has the smallest pay gap and has remained first for the past 6 years. Yemen has the largest pay gap between men and women. Out of 145 countries, USA is #28. And the number continues to drop. So what can you do? You need that number to rise. Over your next 4/8 years in the White House, I hope you can shorten the pay gap between men and women. We can make that number go to 25 to 20 to 15. Maybe even as low as 10.

The pay gap between men and women is caused by segregation in the labor market. Causes of segregation between men and women is because people still believe women cannot do certain things, such as be the CEO of a company or be in the government. We need to get rid of these stereotypes and let women be themselves, and I think you can do that Mr./Mrs. President. Normal differences can also be a leading cause to the pay gap and girls being bullied. We need to get rid of these stereotypes and let women be themselves, and I think you can do that as our President.

So Mr./Mrs. President, are you willing to help 157 million women by giving them a smaller pay gap? Or are you going to sit there, in your chair in the White House, and not doing anything to help these people, your people? We are counting on you as the President of the United States. The country is in your hands.

Sincerely,

Avery M., Pennsylvania