According to a new report by the Young Women’s Foundation (YWF), young women in Britain feel less supported in their careers than their male counterparts. The report shows that just 56% of women aged 18-30 feel optimistic about their careers, compared to 64% of men in the same age group. The same percentage of women also feel they lack sufficient support to advance professionally.
Financial pressure is a key issue for young women, with 26% saying they have stayed in jobs they don’t enjoy because they can’t afford to leave, compared to 20% of young men. In addition, 19% of women reported delaying a career change due to financial concerns, versus 15% of men.
Charlotte Woodworth, gender equality director at Business in the Community, emphasized the disparity. She stated, “Young women are being let down by a working world that fails to provide the support and opportunities they need for financially secure, fulfilling careers.” She stated that the rising cost of living is hitting women particularly hard, leaving many feeling isolated when planning their future steps.
According to the report, 32% of young women feel their future prospects have become worse over the past year, compared to 25% of young men. In addition, 18% of young women rated their mental health as poor or very poor.