The Clock Turns Back for Young Women is the Young Women’s Trust’s first annual report shining a light on the realities of young women’s lives in the 21st century.
Almost 100 years after women first got the vote in Britain, too many young women are facing a bleak future, and in stark contrast to women over the age of 31, they feel that traditionally male roles are beyond their reach.
The Facts
- The Trust’s latest research shows that young women are considerably more likely than women over 31 to think that many traditionally male roles are out of their reach
- 52% of young women think that men are more suited to be
electricians, compared to 26% of older women - 1 in 5 young women have been offered zero-hour contracts
- 20% of young women have been offered jobs paying less than the minimum wage
- Twice as many young women than men are considered to be economically inactive
Key Recommendations
- Improve recruitment practice so that more young women apply
- Offer genuine and greater flexible working conditions to those with caring responsibilities
- Ensure that women have a positive experience when working in male dominated fields by taking a strong stance on bullying and harassment
- Pay the National Minimum Wage
- Pay the same rates for all apprentices
- Extend the provision of free child-care so that young mothers can afford to study or work
