More than half of women working in the social housing sector still feel they need to work harder than men to achieve the same opportunities, according to an industry survey.
Women in Social Housing (WISH) has released the findings of its latest annual survey, highlighting both progress and continuing challenges for women working across the housing sector.
The organisation, which provides networking and support for women in the affordable housing sector, surveyed professionals from housing associations, local authorities and the wider industry to better understand women’s experiences at work and the barriers they may face in progressing their careers.
While this year’s results suggest some positive changes in attitudes, it still found that 52% of women feel they have to work harder than men to access the same opportunities – that number has fallen from 60% in 2024.
57% of respondents still say their voice or opinion has been overlooked because of their gender, indicating that gender bias remains a persistent issue across the sector.
Women also continue to witness everyday workplace behaviours that can undermine their contributions. 72% of respondents reported seeing women interrupted or talked over in meetings, while 53% said they had seen a woman’s idea dismissed only to be recognised later when repeated by a male colleague.
Encouragingly, the number of respondents who believe there are barriers preventing women from progressing in housing has fallen from 43% to 32%, suggesting that sector-wide conversations about gender equity are beginning to have an impact.
The survey also highlights the importance of leadership support. 60% of respondents said backing from executive teams and senior leaders has the most positive impact on women’s careers, reinforcing the critical role that organisational leadership plays in creating inclusive workplace cultures.
Jayne Entwistle, Managing Director of Women in Social Housing (WISH), said:
“It is encouraging to see signs of progress in this year’s survey, with fewer women feeling they must work harder than their male counterparts to achieve the same opportunities. However, the results also remind us that there is still much more to do to ensure women’s voices are heard and valued across our sector.
“The housing sector has made important strides in recognising the need for equity and inclusive leadership. But real change requires sustained commitment from organisations and leaders to challenge bias, support women’s progression and ensure talent is recognised regardless of gender.”
The findings also show strong engagement with WISH and its mission to support women across the housing sector. Over half of respondents said they had attended at least one WISH event, and many highlighted leadership, career development and confidence building as key topics they would like to see covered in future programmes.
Looking ahead, WISH will continue to champion women’s voices through its programmes and initiatives across the UK.
Jayne Entwistle added: “We encourage women of all demographics, as well as our male allies, to join our network and take advantage of WISH’s membership benefits.”
The organisation is currently supporting its President Crystal Hicks through the See Her campaign, which aims to decrease the gender data gap, increase the visibility of women in housing and highlight the diverse leadership talent across the sector. By celebrating women’s achievements and encouraging others to step forward as leaders, the campaign seeks to inspire the next generation of women shaping the future of housing.
For more information on WISH and how the organisation supports its members, visit www.wishnetwork.org/member-benefits.