WISH’s annual survey highlights ongoing gender bias in social housing sector

WISH’s annual survey highlights ongoing gender bias in social housing sector

More than half of women working in the housing sector say they must work harder than men to succeed, according to research released by Women in Social Housing (WISH) this International Women’s Day.

The networking and support group for women in the affordable housing sector has published its latest annual survey, as part of its Hear Her Voice campaign which aims to amplify women’s voices in the workplace.

Responses were collected from industry professionals working in housing associations, local authorities, and the private sector.

The 2024 survey found that 60% of women feel they must work harder than their male counterparts to achieve the same opportunities, a concerning rise from 55% in 2023.

Despite a drop in reported personal experiences of gender inequality (from 41% in 2023 to 21% in 2024), 55% of women say their voices have been overlooked because of their gender.

Additionally, 72% have observed women being interrupted or talked over in meetings, and nearly half (49%) have seen a woman’s ideas dismissed only to be acknowledged later when repeated by a male colleague.

“No one should feel they have to work harder than others just to be seen and heard. The fact remains that too many women still feel overlooked and unheard. Progress is happening, but not fast enough,” said Tracey McEachran, President of Women in Social Housing.

“This isn’t just about ambition – it’s about fairness and making the most of the talent we have. If we want a strong and successful housing sector, we need to ensure women are given the same opportunities, recognition, and respect as men—without exception. When women’s voices aren’t heard, we lose out on a wealth of wisdom and insight that could drive the sector forward.”

Encouragingly, 72% of women believe that executive and senior leadership support has the most positive impact on women’s careers.

However, 28% feel that changes in working arrangements, such as hybrid or remote working, can negatively impact women’s career progression, with visibility in the workplace cited as a key factor.

Lucy Malarkey, WISH’s Managing Director, said:

“It’s great to see many women agree that senior leadership support is making a real difference – but it can’t be the only solution. We need to continue to build workplace cultures where women can thrive regardless of where or how they work.

“These figures aren’t just numbers - they represent the real, lived experiences of women in our sector. While some progress is being made, clearly there is still much more work to do.”

 

WISH’s Hear Her Voice campaign has run throughout the 2023/24 year and has been the cornerstone of Tracey’s time as President. Tracey will be stepping down from her role in April 2025, with Crystal Hicks taking over as the new President of WISH.