Shut Out of Power: New Report Shows Young Women and Girls See the Barriers of Underrepresentation and Want Change

National Women's History Museum's new report reveals the challenges they face, what they need, why representation matters and what we can do about it

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Women's History Museum's Young Women and Girls' Aspiration Report, including a survey of more than 1,100 girls and young women (ages 13-27) across the U.S., paints a stark picture: young women and girls face challenges in economic opportunity, education, health care and politics, and they are calling for real representation across the board. Despite their ambitions and determination, they see a system that continues to shut them out, leaving them underrepresented in nearly every sphere that shapes their future.

The report sheds light on the challenges young women and girls continue to face and the urgent changes they need to ensure they are not sidelined for another century. The findings expose the deep gaps in representation and opportunity, challenging the misconception that gender equality has already been achieved.

"Representation shapes possibility. If we continue to sideline half the population, we are choosing to be weaker as a society," said Frédérique Irwin, president & CEO of the National Women's History Museum. "Our Young Women and Girls' Aspiration Report is not just about awareness—it's a blueprint for action."

Among the report's key findings:

• Economic Participation: We'll Work Hard, But Not for Less. Young women see a workforce where they are expected to work just as hard as men but rewarded far less.
  • 89% believe men hold most of the advantages, and more than 80% say women face more barriers to advancement than men.
  • 47% say financial independence is most important when they imagine their future.
  • Less than half (44%) believe they have the same access to career opportunities as men.
  • They want equal pay policies, better support for working mothers and more representation in leadership.

• Education: More Degrees, Same Barriers. Women outpace men in obtaining college degrees, but they aren't getting the return on investment. A woman with a bachelor's degree still earns about the same as a man with an associate's degree.
  • Women hold two-thirds of the nation's student loan debt.
  • Only 29% of young women and girls believe they get the same financial support for school as boys and young men.
  • 63% say financial barriers limit their education options.
  • Their top demands? A return on their educational investment, better access to financial aid and stronger mentorship opportunities.

• Health & Survival: Women's Health is an Economic Issue. The U.S. health care system doesn't just fail women—it actively works against them. Health care isn't just about wellness, it is about economic survival. Without access to quality, affordable health care, young women and girls struggle to stay in school, keep their jobs and build financial security.
  • 77% of young women and girls are worried about health care coverage for women.
  • 76% feel social pressures impact their mental health and well-being, and nearly half have struggled with limited mental health resources.
  • 26% of women report feeling dismissed or ignored by health care providers.
  • Young women want better health care policies, mental health resources embedded in schools and workplaces and strong protections for reproductive rights.

• Political Empowerment: It's Time to Break the Marble Ceiling. Women make up more than half of the population but are just 28% of Congress and 24% of U.S. governors.
  • 60% of young women and girls feel confident in their ability to lead or advocate for change.
  • 65% want to be more involved in politics or social change.
  • Only one-third believe women today have as much power as men to create change.
  • Their top priorities? More women in leadership, better access to political mentorship and an end to outdated gender biases in elections.

The World Economic Forum projects that we are still 106 years away from gender parity—yet many young people don't recognize the scale of the problem: 67% of Gen Z men and 47% of Gen Z women believe women already have equal opportunities despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Only 32% of young women and girls believe they have as much power as men to create change, and 34% believe gender equality will never be achieved in their lifetime.

"This report makes one thing clear: young women and girls are ready to lead, but the system is holding them back," continued Irwin. "We can no longer afford to treat gender equality as an eventual inevitability. The time to act is now."

The report calls on policymakers, educators, employers and community leaders to take concrete steps toward closing these gaps. Key recommendations include:

• Implementing pay equity policies and career advancement opportunities for women.
• Expanding financial aid and student debt relief for young women.
• Strengthening healthcare policies and mental health resources for women.
• Increasing mentorship and leadership opportunities for women in politics.

About the Report and Survey Methodology
The Young Women and Girls' Aspiration Report is a collaborative effort between the Museum and DoSomething Strategic, surveying 1,546 young women (ages 13-27) between December 2024 and January 2025 via email and SMS outreach to DoSomething members and the Museum email list. The final sample included 1,127 respondents, with age distribution as follows: 21% ages 13-17, 50% ages 18-21, and 29% ages 22-27. Demographically, the respondents were 47% White, 18% Black, 18% Hispanic, 7% Asian and 7% identifying as another race. In terms of gender identity, 95% identified as women and 4% as nonbinary. Additionally, 16% of participants were from rural areas, while 84% resided in suburban or urban communities. It is important to consider the study's limitations when interpreting the findings.

Additional data was provided through a collaboration with The Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary's University. The data relies heavily on the U.S. Census Bureau's yearly American Community Surveys (ACS). The data provide a snapshot at the time the measurement was made. The most recent ACS data are from 2022; other smaller databases used for the Report may have data available from 2023. The Report's endnotes provide detailed citations for all data and claims presented.

The full report methodology can be found in the report here: www.SheIsNotAFootnote.org 

About "She Is Not a Footnote" Campaign
The Report is the first initiative of the Museum's "She is Not a Footnote" cause campaign, highlighting the urgency of women's underrepresentation and ensuring their voices, contributions, and leadership are recognized. The campaign is a call to action, encouraging girls and women to come together, unified behind this message. The full report is available at www.SheIsNotAFootnote.org.

About the National Women's History Museum
Founded in 1996, the National Women's History Museum is an innovative virtual-first museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women's diverse contributions to society. A renowned leader in women's history education, the Museum brings to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history, and serves as a space for all to inspire, experience, collaborate and amplify women's impact—past, present and future. The Museum strives to fundamentally change the way women and girls see their potential and power. Visit us at womenshistory.org.

SOURCE National Women’s History Museum