Welcome to a powerful episode of Ruth: Frustrated and Exhausted, where our host is joined by Penny East, CEO of the Fawcett Society—the UK's leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights. Together, they dive deep into what equity really looks like in today’s fast-changing world. Penny sheds light on everything from closing the gender pay gap and the underrepresentation of women in AI and politics, to ongoing workplace barriers and the challenges of combating violence against women and girls. The conversation unpacks the everyday realities women face, the nuances of new technology like AI in perpetuating bias, and the importance of intersectionality in shaping policy. You’ll also hear about the progress being made, where urgent action is still needed, and practical ways listeners—both men and women—can get involved and help drive change. Discussion: Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) [00:05:15] – Penny discusses investment in perpetrator programs, gaps in victim support. [00:06:01] – Context on government priorities and political climate challenges. Fawcett’s Work & Government Accountability [00:07:56] – Penny responds about evidence, measuring misogyny, sexism in society. [00:08:59] – Example: misogyny in football crowds discussed. Increasing Misogyny Among Young People [00:12:05] – Penny shares survey findings, worsening attitudes in younger demographics. [00:12:33] – Discussion on online algorithms, radicalization, social influences and values. Internalized Misogyny & Workplace Experience [00:18:57] – Penny discusses her own and women's experience with internalized biases. Experiences of Women of Colour [00:21:11] – Question about Fawcett’s work, government response on women of colour’s experience. [00:22:04] – Government consultations, pay gap reporting, maternity care issues addressed. Women's Health & Maternity [00:26:11] – Penny discusses current and lacking health strategies, AI/data bias. Patriarchy, AI & Gender Bias [00:32:00] – Penny addresses risks in recruitment, productivity tools, digital exclusion, automation. Flexible Work & Class Disparities [00:36:24] – Penny discusses how flexible working disparities largely benefit middle-class, office-based women, and COVID’s impact. Investment for Women / Economic Power [00:40:00] – Host raises low VC investment for women and government action. [00:40:56] – Penny emphasizes importance of male allies, biases in venture capital and charity giving. How Far to Equality? [00:44:18] – Penny: current estimates for pay gap closure (2050), global parity (130-140 years), political headwinds, need for sector unity and collective action. Thank you for listening! If you’re feeling shocked, galvanized—or just want to do something—now’s the time. Join the movement for gender equality, and let’s make our voices heard. Connect with Ruth: Instagram LinkedIn Website
