Dont think it should be about equal pay, the Americans are completely deluded. But as one of the Australian female players said in above articles, they want more pay (not equal) so they can professionally live off football. That makes sense.
But the bottom line is you have to improve your own product, draw in fans all year long and not just once every 4 years during world cup. Even then the once every 4 years tournos dont interest me, even if most of my family watches it.
Draw in fans and then ask for more money. Personally speaking the only female player that ever withhold my attention long enough is Marta. Produce more highly entertaining players like that and then we'll see.