The US ranks ranked 43rd in gender equality, based on the most recent World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index.

One of the biggest issues is the gender wage gap. Rutgers University Economist and Professor of Labor Studies and Human Relations Yana Rodgers says the "most persistent cause" of the wage gap is the motherhood penalty, where women tend to choose more flexible but lower-paying jobs in order to care for their children.

Watch the video above to hear Rodgers list of three things that could help close the gender pay gap.

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This post was written by John Lesinski.