I was introduced to Jessica nearly a year ago, and it's taken me this long to write her story. How do you write about gender equality? According to the World Economic Forum, it will take another 132 years to close the global gender gap. The World Bank’s 2022 report states that around 2.4 billion women of working age are not afforded equal economic opportunities. In 86 countries, women face job restrictions, and in 95 countries, there is no guarantee of equal pay for equal work. Globally, women still have only three-quarters of the legal rights afforded to men. While progress has been made, the gap in men’s and women’s expected lifetime earnings globally stands at a staggering US$172 trillion—almost twice the world’s annual GDP.

But this story isn’t just about statistics or the state of the world. It’s about how one family in Sweden found a solution to feel equal in their own lives.

Jessica is a hair stylist from Sweden, living with her two children and her husband, Magnus. She found school challenging due to being slightly dyslexic. Raised by a strong single mother who instilled the importance of self-worth, Jessica overcame these obstacles to become a celebrated and in-demand stylist. She was doing well in her career when she had her first child. At that point, Magnus earned a larger income, so they decided Jessica would slow down her business to focus on their growing family.

This is a common decision, one that women around the world are often required to make—whether they’re earning or not: step back from their careers to care for their children. This could be because women are traditionally seen as the better caregivers, because the couple can’t afford childcare, or because of deeply ingrained cultural norms. With rising childcare costs and an unequal division of domestic responsibilities, women stepping back from their careers after having children has reached an all-time high, fueling inequalities in the workforce.

At this point, I’d like to clarify that economic achievement isn’t the only goal of anyone’s life—whether a man or a woman. A woman’s worth is not solely defined by her economic achievements, which seems to be forgotten when she chooses to step back from her career.

What I want to highlight is that once women step back, the immeasurable labor they contribute at home often goes unrecognized. These tasks—caring for children, the elderly, and running a household—are often dismissed as “duties.” The fight for equality isn’t just about women reentering the workforce, it’s about acknowledging the work that has always been present in the home, the work that makes everything else possible.

When a woman steps back to handle domestic responsibilities, it often propels the man to focus solely on his career, without being expected to contribute equally at home. This division of labor, as old as gender itself, is seen as the natural order. But the problem arises from the social norm that ties economic success with power. The higher the income, the more power and importance one is assumed to have. This belief then permeates the household, where the man becomes the more “important” person, while the domestic responsibilities of the woman are minimized.

What this system forgets is the woman who is running the household efficiently to enable the man’s career chase. This pattern is as old as time: the more you earn, the “better” you are.

Jessica’s story intrigued me because she and Magnus found a solution to this very equation.

Jessica and Magnus created a company together—a company where they pooled their earnings, whether from Magnus’ work or Jessica’s. Every month, they made an equitable withdrawal from the company as a salary, ensuring they each drew the same amount, no matter how their incomes fluctuated or how their domestic duties evolved as the children grew.

“This system helped us recognize each other’s work—whether it’s domestic duties, child-rearing, or professional projects—as equally valid and worthy,” says Jessica. “There were months when Magnus was shifting jobs, and I was bringing in more income. And there were times when Magnus traveled constantly, and I had the responsibility of managing the home. Yet, we always drew the same income.”

“I’m earning my salary whether I’m doing hair styling or ironing clothes. This approach has brought so much simplicity and understanding to our family. It’s an acknowledgment that both jobs deserve the same respect—whether they’re in the home or outside.”

Would this system work for every couple? No, perhaps not. But it’s certainly an idea—one that offers a glimpse into how equity and equality could be achieved, allowing both partners to feel loved, cherished, and free.

This is the first time in the WOW Project that I also interviewed the man in the story. Magnus shares his feelings about the solution they arrived at:

“If I ever mention that we share our income equally, women smile, and men raise their eyebrows. Nobody thinks it’s unfair, but some might find it strange. Most people have never considered sharing income in this way. Why should my wife sacrifice her earnings so I can earn more? My WOW Woman works just as hard as I do, with a job that’s more physically demanding than mine. She’s a highly skilled professional with a loyal customer base. Still, she will never have my earning potential because I’m a white-collar IT expert. Freedom as a couple is when we can choose to optimize our earnings together while valuing all types of work equally. It doesn’t matter if the work brings in a smaller or larger income, or if it’s yard work or washing clothes—it all holds the same value. By sharing responsibilities equally, fairness means we both take the same salary.”

I leave this story with an open mind, pondering the possibilities of what men and women can achieve together in true partnership if they choose to set aside outdated norms and instead prioritize fairness, equity, and mutual respect.

As I share this story, I hope it inspires others to explore deeper, more fulfilling, and equal partnerships. True equality, after all, is not just about numbers—it’s about creating a system where both partners are seen, respected, and valued in all the work they do.