This new research has revealed even more frustrating aspects of the wage gap

When we discuss the persistent wage gap plaguing women in our society, us ladies are often encouraged to raise our voices and negotiate for better pay (and, of course, the wage gap is even larger for women of color). Previous studies all seem to report that women are less likely to ask for a raise from their employers. But what if that’s no longer the case — what if women are asking for raises, but we’re just not getting them?

A new study by University of Wisconsin and two U.K. universities has found that, oftentimes, women are asking for raises just as much as their male co-workers, but they are more frequently denied. In fact, their findings showed that men were 25 percent more likely than their women co-workers to receive a raise upon asking for one.

These study results are incredibly important, as they reveal a much deeper kind of gender discrimination in the workplace, challenging the idea that the wage gap would be rectified ~if only women spoke up more.~ Because we already are speaking up. Andrew Oswald, a professor of economics at University of Warwick and an author of the study, told CNN Money, “Having seen these findings, I think we have to accept that there is some element of pure discrimination against women.”

The study looked at 4,600 Australian workers, but the researchers explained to CNN Money that similar economies meant that the results would likely represent American workers as well.

While we can celebrate the fact that more and more women are demanding their right to better compensation — these infuriating statistics must push us to keep fighting against this economic injustice.