Young women face inequality from the very start of their working lives. On average, a young woman will earn a fifth less each year than a young man of the same age. For some groups of young women, such as those from racially minoritised communities, the income gap is even larger.
This gap only grows over the course of a woman’s lifetime – so starting to close it early will give them a fairer financial future.
Why does it happen?
- Young women are more likely to be in lower paid jobs and sectors of the economy and are more likely to get stuck there.
- They still face discrimination in the workplace, and this is holding them back from progressing, reaching their potential, and earning what they should.
- They’re taking on more unpaid work, such as childcare, and are more likely to be in part-time work.
- At a time in life when young women should be growing, learning, and taking chances, they’re instead too often trapped in a struggle just to get by.