There are two different issues that you need to ensure are not confused. One is that different occupations have different pay (and conditions), and the other is that men and women doing the same job appear to still have pay differences. The two are very different arguments.

The second issue is that one that I have the most problem with, but as someone pointed out men tend to be better at negotiation and just outright asking than women. A smart employer will recognise that this is the case and keep similar pay for similar performance (this may "cost" more but in the long-run tends to lead to better overall performance). Most employers wont though, and really that tough luck - for them and for the women involved.

I agree that there needs to be more financial information and negotiation techniques taught at school - this would benefit both men and women in later life.

A point though - women (and men) will have difficulty in choosing work options when they leave school based solely on earning expectations. Unless there has been a lot of improvement in the time since I left school, there is precious little information about the conditions and pay in a lot of different areas (except for the bleeding obvious statement like a lawyer will earn more than a brickies labourer). Its only in the years since I left school that I have been able to get some form of comparison. In hindsight I should have picked nursing - as much pay as I make as a professional, less personal risk and better conditions. Bugger!