Lily Kendall is the head of corporate partnerships at Young Women’s Trust, a charity that champions economic justice for young women. With over a decade of experience in fundraising, she works to build meaningful partnerships with companies to support young women on low or no pay. Her role involves securing funding, influencing employer policies and driving initiatives that help young women thrive in the workplace.
“Young women are being hit hardest by financial insecurity – we need to act now…”
Working to create a fairer future
At Young Women’s Trust, we support young women aged 18 to 30 who are on low or no pay, advocating for a more equal world of work. Our mission is to increase their incomes, improve workplace opportunities, and challenge the inequalities they face. We do this through coaching, peer support, and research that amplifies young women’s voices and experiences.
Our work is vital because young women continue to face significant financial and professional barriers. Our research shows that they earn considerably less than young men and experience high levels of workplace discrimination. That’s why we campaign for change and collaborate with employers to ensure workplaces are fairer and more inclusive.
Bringing businesses on board
In my role, I lead corporate partnerships to drive this change. This means working with businesses that want to create better opportunities for young women. But we’re not just asking for financial support — we want companies to actively improve their policies and practices.
One of our latest initiatives is EquiTea — a simple yet powerful way to engage teams in conversations about workplace equality while raising funds for our work. An EquiTea is an informal gathering, in-person or virtual, where colleagues discuss key questions from our downloadable pack. It’s an opportunity to share experiences, build connections, and reflect on how we can all contribute to workplace equity.
By hosting an EquiTea, businesses can help change the culture of their workplace, making it more inclusive and supportive for young women. The event isn’t just about donations — it’s about starting meaningful conversations that can lead to real action.
The reality for young women at work
Our research highlights just how unequal the workplace still is for young women:
- 42% of young women say their financial situation has worsened in the last year, compared to 27% of young men.
- 53% of young women have experienced workplace discrimination — a three-year high.
- Racially minoritised young women are disproportionately affected, with 47% worried about job security.
These statistics make it clear — young women face greater financial insecurity, fewer progression opportunities, and more workplace discrimination than their male counterparts. That’s why our work at Young Women’s Trust is so important. We offer practical support, conduct research to highlight these issues and campaign for real, lasting change.
Empowering young women through peer support
One of the ways we’re tackling workplace inequality is through Power Hours — a peer support programme developed in collaboration with Deloitte. This initiative provides a space for young women facing similar work-related challenges to connect, learn, and support each other.
Young women often report feeling isolated in their careers, with fewer networking opportunities and less mentorship than their male peers. Power Hours creates a community where they can share experiences, gain confidence, and receive guidance to help them progress in their careers.
Alongside EquiTea, this initiative is part of our broader effort to ensure young women have the support they need to succeed at work.
Why International Women’s Day still matters
In recent years, there has been a growing backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly in the US. But regardless of the wider political climate, the reality remains: young women continue to earn less, experience more discrimination, and have fewer opportunities for career progression than young men.
International Women’s Day is a chance to shine a spotlight on these issues and push for progress. However, true change requires year-round action. That’s why I’m so passionate about working with our corporate partners — those who are committed to driving long-term change, not just making statements on IWD.
Join us in making a difference
If you want to support young women and help create an equal world of work, there are many ways to get involved:
- Host an EquiTea event at your workplace.
- Sign up for our e-newsletter.
- Follow Young Women’s Trust on social media (see the links at the bottom of this article.)
You can also connect with me personally on LinkedIn.
Coming up next for Young Women’s Trust
We have some really exciting campaigns and research coming up this year. We know young women need more support to learn about their rights at work, so we’ve been collaborating with them to bring a campaign to life. Follow us on social media to find out how to get involved in the campaign later this month!
