A new equal pay law designed to strengthen existing protections for women and people of color in New York State, as well as expand those protections to other groups, goes into effect Tuesday. 

Women's rights advocates say the measure narrows the pay gap but more needs to be done.

"Women are largely in jobs that are simply different from the jobs of men," said Miriam Clark, the president of the New York chapter of the National Employment Lawyers. She said there are certain fields where a certain gender dominates the workforce.

"The real barrier to equal pay we believe is eliminating job segregation or paying men and women for example the same for what we call comparable work," Clark said.

Clark spoke with WNYC Richard Hake. To hear the full conversation, click Listen.