There has been a visible uplift in the number of women quietly quitting and taking up entrepreneurship, do you think this is a result of them re-evaluating their relationship with the traditional workplace? 

Yes, the visible increase in women quitting traditional employment to pursue entrepreneurship can indeed be attributed to a re-evaluation of their relationship with the traditional workplace. There are several factors driving this trend: 

Workplace Dynamics: Many women experience challenges and barriers in traditional workplaces, including gender discrimination, limited opportunities for advancement, and inflexible work environments. These factors can lead women to seek alternative career paths where they have more autonomy and control over their work lives. 

Desire for Flexibility: Entrepreneurship offers women greater flexibility and work-life balance compared to traditional employment. As founders of their own businesses, women can set their own schedules, work from home, and prioritize their personal and family commitments while pursuing their professional goals. 

Opportunities for Creativity and Innovation: Entrepreneurship allows women to pursue their passions, leverage their skills and expertise, and create meaningful impact through their ventures. Women may be drawn to entrepreneurship as a means of expressing their creativity, pursuing innovative ideas, and making a difference in their communities. 

Economic Empowerment: Starting a business can provide women with greater financial independence and economic empowerment. By building their own ventures, women can create wealth, generate income, and pursue financial security on their own terms. 

Community and Support Networks: The rise of entrepreneurship has been accompanied by the growth of supportive communities, networks, and resources specifically tailored to women entrepreneurs. These networks provide mentorship, funding, and opportunities for collaboration, empowering women to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavours. 

Changing Cultural Norms: There has been a shift in cultural attitudes towards entrepreneurship, with greater acceptance and support for women pursuing non-traditional career paths. Women are increasingly encouraged to embrace risk-taking, ambition, and leadership in entrepreneurship, challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes. 

Overall, the decision of women to leave traditional employment and pursue entrepreneurship reflects a broader shift in how women perceive and engage with the workforce. By re-evaluating their relationship with the traditional workplace, women are seizing opportunities to create more fulfilling, empowering, and purpose-driven careers through entrepreneurship. 

Turning our backs on a broken system shouldn’t be the only answer. In your opinion what action needs to be done?  

Turning away from a broken system is indeed not the only answer. To address systemic issues and create meaningful change, action is needed on multiple fronts. Here are some key actions that can be taken: 

Systemic Reform: Advocate for systemic reforms to address the root causes of inequality, discrimination, and injustice. This may include policy changes, legislative reforms, and institutional initiatives aimed at promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion across all sectors of society. 

Cultural Shift: Promote a cultural shift towards greater awareness, empathy, and respect for all individuals, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. This involves challenging harmful stereotypes, biases, and discriminatory attitudes through education, media representation, and community engagement. 

Empowerment and Education: Empower individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to advocate for themselves and others. Provide education and training on topics such as leadership, assertiveness, and diversity to empower individuals to navigate systems of power and influence effectively. 

Community Engagement: Foster community engagement and collective action to address social issues and promote positive change. Build coalitions, networks, and alliances that bring together diverse voices and perspectives to advocate for shared goals and values. 

Supportive Environments: Create supportive environments that prioritize the well-being, safety, and dignity of all individuals. This includes promoting inclusive policies, practices, and spaces that foster a sense of belonging, respect, and empowerment for everyone. 

Accountability and Justice: Hold individuals, institutions, and systems accountable for their actions and decisions. Ensure that mechanisms are in place to address instances of discrimination, harassment, and injustice effectively and provide recourse for those who have been harmed. 

Intersectional Approach: Take an intersectional approach to address the interconnected systems of oppression and privilege that shape individuals’ experiences. Recognize and address the intersecting impacts of factors such as gender, race, class, sexuality, and ability in shaping access to opportunities and resources. 

Continuous Advocacy: Advocate for continuous progress and improvement in all areas of social justice and equality. Recognize that change is an ongoing process that requires sustained effort, vigilance, and commitment from individuals and communities. 

By taking these actions collectively, we can work towards creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to positive change. It requires a commitment to challenging the status quo, amplifying marginalized voices, and working together towards a shared vision of a better future for all. 

Young Women’s Trust is calling on the government and employers to commit to ending discrimination for good, creating better job security for young women and ensuring fair and equal pay once and for all – and we are right behind them. Here’s to a better working future for us all in 2024  

At BelEve UK, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing space where girls and young women can cultivate the confidence, resilience, and compassion needed to succeed and become changemakers in their fields and beyond. Your support, guidance, or even a simple act of kindness can have a profound effect on this journey.

Join us in our commitment to empowering tomorrow’s leaders. For more information on how you can contribute to shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for young girls and women, please visit BelEveuk.org. Together, we can create an environment where women thrive, not just survive.