Exploring the key issues facing girls and young women today

Taken by 3,015 girls and young women aged 7-21 across the UK, the findings of the survey are useful to charities looking to understand what the group cares about today, the biggest challenges they are facing, and how they are getting involved in their communities.

 

 

The issues girls and young women care about

 

The survey asked respondents to rank the importance of some key issues.

 

The girls and young women surveyed voted mental health as the most important issue. Following this was women’s and girls’ safety, then equality and inclusion. Respondents ranked climate change as the fourth most important issue.

 

This is useful information for understanding the demographic, both in terms of adapting relevant services to the group and engaging them with the charitable projects they feel most passionate about.  

 

The survey also reflected that more and more girls and young women are identifying as feminists, with a steady increase from 35% in 2013 to 47% in 2018, and finally to 54% in 2022.

 

 

The challenges facing girls and young women

 

 

High levels of discrimination

 

The survey found that girls and young women are continuing to experience “high levels of discrimination” (71%).

Those who are LGBTQ+, disabled, or a person of colour were found to report that they had experienced discrimination more so than those who aren’t LGBTQ+, who are not disabled, or who are White. Girls and young women in the North of England and Wales were also more likely than all other areas to report this.

 

18% of girls and young women feel confident enough to challenge discrimination, which has risen from 14% in 2018 – but Girlguiding describes this as “still quite low”.

 

So, while the majority of girls and young women have experienced discrimination, a minority feel confident enough to challenge it themselves. This means that a large degree of discrimination against girls and young women may currently be going unchallenged.

 

 

Appearance pressures impact mental health and wellbeing

 

When it comes to mental health and wellbeing, Girlguiding identifies appearance pressures as a “real challenge” for girls and young women, especially as they get older. Happiness with appearance declines from 42% in girls aged 7 to 10 to 10% in those aged 17 to 21.

 

Over a third of girls and young women between 11 and 21 don’t like posting pictures of themselves on social media unless they use filters or apps to change their appearance.

 

Charities looking to support the mental health and wellbeing of girls and young women might therefore prioritise addressing the specific issue of appearance pressures upon the group.   

 

 

Feeling unsafe in public, online, and at school

 

The survey found that over half of girls and young women aged 11 to 21 said they don’t feel safe when they’re outside on their own. A quarter (26%) of girls and young women don’t feel safe when they’re online, and around 1 in 5 of the group don’t feel safe in school.

 

Girlguiding advocate Maddie from Southwest England comments: “It’s unsurprising to see girls and young women are feeling unsafe in many areas of life right now, this being higher in marginalised groups. Changes are being made to education and it’s good this seems to be working. However, more needs to be done to make sure girls can enjoy their lives without fearing for their safety.”

 

 

Seeing and experiencing sexism and stereotypes

 

Sexism and stereotypes influence several aspects of life for girls and young women.

 

For 11–21-year-olds, sexism was experienced the most online and on social media (80%, which has risen from 68% in 2018). 73% said they experienced sexism in the media, and 68% said they experienced it in public places such as parks and public transport.

 

Experiencing sexism at school, college, university, or work has increased from 58% in 2018 to 66% in 2022. Over a fifth of girls aged 11 to 21 said gender stereotypes hold them back in school, while one in six respondents aged between 13 and 21 say fear of sexual harassment holds them back in school.

 

The survey also found that girls and women experienced several barriers to taking part in sport and physical activity. This includes insecurity (48% of those aged 11 to 21), some sports only being available for boys (21%), sport being too expensive (16%), feeling unsafe (13%), and experiencing sexism while taking part in sport (59%).

 

 

How girls and young women are taking community action

 

A high number of girls and young women are getting involved in their communities. Over a third of those surveyed helped to improve their local area in the past year, while a third engaged in fundraising. Across the UK, 59% supported people who aren’t friends or relatives, and 61% donated money or goods.

 

Just under a third of girls and young women campaigned for something they believe in over the past year, while nearly half have helped a charity or cause.

 

Angela Salt OBE, the CEO of Girlguiding, comments: “I am…encouraged by their unwavering enthusiasm for social and community action, and inspired by their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.”

 

 

Read the report

To find out more, including details about different demographics of girls and young women today, read the Girls’ Attitudes Survey 2022 report.