Girls face leadership doubts 10x more than boys

Nevertheless, a significant 76% of participants are keen on starting their own businesses, with 64% seeing themselves in leadership roles in the future.

The study, a collaborative effort by the National Women’s Enterprise Week (NWEW) and Sapio Research, surveyed 500 teenagers aged 14 to 18, showing that despite high entrepreneurial ambitions, girls anticipate greater obstacles than boys. The data points to enduring hurdles for aspiring female entrepreneurs, with nearly seven in 10 youths preferring entrepreneurship to traditional employment, yet girls express heightened concerns regarding the pressures and self-assurance needed for leadership. Issues such as work-life balance, including family commitments and childcare needs, were especially pronounced among female respondents.

Highlighting the vital role of education and mentorship in encouraging entrepreneurial pursuits, the research found parents to be more supportive than teachers, indicating a pressing need for enhanced entrepreneurial teaching and inspiration within educational settings.

Coinciding with these insights, Akshata Murty is organising a unique IWD-themed 'Lessons at 10' today for IWD, 8th March 2024. This speed mentoring initiative aims to motivate teenage girls by linking them with successful women entrepreneurs and business owners, emphasising the significance of female visibility and mentorship in business.

The survey also noted that over half of the respondents perceive most bosses to be male, a view likely influenced by the lack of visible female role models. Acquaintance with a business owner markedly boosts the ambition of youths towards entrepreneurship or leadership.

Alison Cork MBE, Founder of NWEW and a mentor at 'Lessons at 10', expressed her inspiration from the entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by young people in the study. She acknowledged the perceived barriers for future female business leaders, stressing the importance of representation and the proactive steps current female leaders must take to mitigate these challenges for the next generation. Cork conveyed her excitement about participating in Murty’s 'Lessons at 10' to offer crucial mentorship and inspiration for young women to pursue their dreams.

Akshata Murty highlighted the importance of supporting young women who view their path as more challenging than that of their male counterparts. She praised the UK's remarkable female entrepreneurs and business leaders and expressed enthusiasm for 'Lessons at 10' providing a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to engage with a broad spectrum of role models. Murty is confident these influential women will pave the way and inspire future generations.

Supporting female entrepreneurship further, NWEW has opened applications for its incubator program, the Women’s Launch Lab (WLL), as part of National Women’s Enterprise Week from 17–21 June 2024. Sponsored by Dorsett Hospitality International, this program offers female founders resources, mentorship, and a platform to pitch to investors. Akshata Murty, alongside Winnie Chiu JP of Dorsett Hospitality International, will lead the panel awarding two cash prizes to the most promising startups and scaleups. The programme, offering ten free slots across various UK regions, welcomes applications until 30th April 2024.