This is a big problem in the sector I used to work in. Firms and industry bodies seem to think the correct way to deal with inequality is to keep proclaiming how meritocratic they are and dismiss any claims of bias or discrimination. Something that really irks me at the moment is the drive to convince school-age girls that it’s an exciting sector to work in and there is definitely, totally, no sexism — but they do nothing to address toxic workplaces, even shutting down the conversation and deleting social media posts that get any pushback from women who speak out. Surprise, surprise, there are virtually no women in the sector and those that do exist don’t stick around for long. Why are we encouraging girls to work in an environment that doesn’t respect or appreciate their contribution?
