If you could imagine a world where work and salaries were equal for young women, what would it look like? In this blog, Becky, a member of our Advisory Panel, imagines that world.
“Sorry I can’t come into work today, I can’t afford the bus fare and I need groceries.”
“Sorry I can’t come into work today, my partner needs support with their mental health.”
“Sorry I can’t come into work today, I’m feeling overwhelmed from the past week of microagressions at work.”
*DELETE ALL*
“Sorry I can’t come into work today, I don’t feel well.”
In an ideal world, young women would be actively seen, heard and respected. I want everyone who identifies as a woman to feel free, empowered and safe. I want us to feel comfortable, confident and supported. I want us to be able to rest, and to feel rested. We’ve come incredibly far, but there is still a long way to go.
Whatever path you want to take should be available to you
Whatever path in life you want to take should be available to you without a question. World leader, physicist, drag artist, beekeeper, climate scientist, skateboarder, caregiver, opera singer, plumber, professional sleeper (yes that’s real), snake milker (!), the list goes on.
In an ideal world, I would have followed my inner child and become Beyoncé. Maybe I would have been a quantum physicist, or astronomer. I didn’t realise how mind-bendingly fascinating the universe was, but I grew up thinking science was a ‘white boy’s subject’. No one knows what they want to do when they grow up, nor should they have to feel restricted by it. In an ideal world, I wouldn’t feel restricted by the dominant standards in society.
We all know young women deserve more. We are stronger together. We will raise each other up, and we will build the world we want to see.
What employers and the government should do
All people, employers, organisations, and the government need to be diverse from the top down with equal representation. Policies and pay must be in place to support, recruit and retain young women with intersecting identities who are in need of support. This will also benefit all staff to feel supported. Employers need to ensure that they have flexible adaptable leave policies to accommodate last minute absence for parents, carers, and mental health emergencies. They must implement adequate health plans to support staff, considering specifics like free mental health support for all staff including black and brown women with anti-racist service providers. Do they have a trans inclusion policy? Do they consider people with disabilities or neurodivergence when recruiting? Are their job adverts and applications accessible for all, transparent, and specify all the policies, benefits and salary? How will they ensure they retain their staff?
The world is not the same place as it was 10 years ago, even 10 months ago… The world is moving on but it seems employers and governments are not moving with us.
We all know young women deserve more. We are stronger together. We will raise each other up, and we will build the world we want to see. Will you join us?
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