Facts We're Fighting

Success

Men often advance more quickly in their careers than women. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, men are 30% more likely than women to be promoted to managerial positions, contributing to the persistent gender gap in leadership roles.

Women face barriers such as gender bias and work-life balance challenges. The same McKinsey study found that for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 85 women are promoted.

Unpaid Work

Women spent on average 7.28 hours cooking per week, whereas men cooked for 3.65 hours. Also, women took on more than double the time on tasks such as laundry and childcare.

As a result, men tend to dominate the primary sector (skilled workers; high paid; job security) whilst women are often employed in the secondary labour sector, mainly due to the dual shifts women do; balancing the maintenance of the household/child care and paid work.

Mindset

Women are regularly exhorted to demonstrate self-confidence as a strategy to progress their careers, raise their pay, and become more successful at work. Self-help guides commend women to “lean in” to reach their goals, “stand their ground,” make strong eye contact, attune their voices, postures, and gestures to come across more assertively, and to “fake it ‘til they make it.” Women have to do all this while balancing on a knife edge the need to remain likeable/warm by appearing unintimidating, unforceful, and undomineering.

Entrepreneurship

Female entrepreneurs receive a disproportionately small share of venture capital funding. In 2022, female-founded startups received only 2% of the total venture capital investment globally.

Research suggests that investors may be more likely to fund male entrepreneurs. A study by Harvard Business School revealed that investors preferred pitches presented by male entrepreneurs over those by female entrepreneurs, even when the content was identical.

Age

It was reported in late 2019 that the gender pay gap widens to the greatest extent when female workers reach their 50s. The ONS’s annual survey of hours and earnings shows that the average annual salary for women aged 50-59 was £32,052 in the year ending in April 2018, compared with £44,561 for men of the same age. This must be seen within the wider context of men holding the majority of positions of power globally; indeed, only 5% of the UK's FTSE 100 chief executive officers are female.

The power of information, support and services that help close the confidence and skills gap is the key to female success, in all its different forms.

At the Female Network, we believe that information is the cornerstone of empowerment. Access to knowledge equips women with the tools to navigate obstacles, challenge outdated norms, seize opportunities, and achieve their full potential. By fostering a culture of education and awareness, we empower our members to make informed decisions about their lives, careers and finances. We recognise that information empowers women to break barriers, advocate for their rights, and drive positive change in their communities.

Through access to resources, tailored services, mentorship, and networking opportunities, we strive to create an environment where women can thrive personally and professionally. By promoting digital literacy and providing insightful and transformative information, we aim to bridge gaps and ensure equitable access to empowerment opportunities for all our members. Together, we harness the power of information to build a supportive and inclusive network that empowers women to lead with confidence and achieve success, on their own terms.

Support underpins all that we do at The Female Network. By fostering a robust support system, we empower women to overcome obstacles, pursue their ambitions, and thrive in their personal and professional lives. Support comes in many forms: from the personal and invested support our team provides, to mentorship and guidance; motivational coaching to arming our clients with the resources they need to thrive. We ensure our support provides women with the confidence to take risks, embrace leadership roles, and navigate challenges with resilience.

At the Female Network, we prioritise creating a community where women can connect, share experiences, and lift each other up. Through solidarity and collaboration, we amplify voices, celebrate achievements, and advocate for equal opportunities. Ultimately, support enables women to harness their strengths, build meaningful connections, and contribute to a more inclusive and empowered society where every woman can achieve her full potential.