Gen Z and Millennials Demand Action as Gender Equality Becomes Global Priority

For the first time, gender equality ranks alongside healthcare and climate change as one of the world’s top concerns, thanks in large part to the voices of Gen Z and Millennials. These generations—who dominate our workplaces, drive social discourse, and influence political trends—have firmly put gender equality on the global agenda. According to new research by the Team Lewis Foundation in support of HeForShe, the UN Women solidarity movement, nearly one-third of young people (29% of Gen Z and 28% of Millennials) consider gender equality an urgent issue.

Yet despite growing awareness, 58% of these young advocates say they don’t know how to support it effectively. To turn concern into impact, the report outlines three vital starting points: at home, at work, and in the digital world.

1. Redesigning the Workplace: Why Flexibility is Essential for Gender Equality

For women, especially mothers and caregivers, the traditional 9-to-5 workday is only a portion of their responsibilities. The “second shift” starts when they return home—preparing meals, managing homework, cleaning, and caregiving.

According to UN Women Time Use Surveys, women globally perform three times more unpaid care and domestic work than men, averaging 4.2 hours daily, compared to men’s 1.7 hours. This imbalance not only exhausts women—it pushes them out of the workforce altogether.

In the United States, women are 10 times more likely than men to take time off work to care for a sick child. As a result, many are forced to decline promotions, accept part-time roles, or leave their careers.

Flexible work—including remote options, flexible hours, and adaptable leave policies—could dramatically shift this dynamic. Team Lewis data found:

• 52% of women say flexible work would help them stay employed.

• 45% of women reconsidering their jobs in 2025 cited lack of flexibility.

• 40% blamed poor work-life balance.

Economic potential: The Flexonomics report by Pragmatix Advisory estimates that embracing flexible work could inject £55.7 billion into the UK economy, by increasing productivity, retaining talent, and maximizing the contributions of women.

What you can do:

• Businesses: Normalize flexibility and shared care duties. Design roles that accommodate real lives, not rigid schedules.

• Families: Share household labor equally. True equality starts with shared responsibility at home.

2. Confronting Inequality in the Workplace: More Than Just Pay Gaps

Despite years of awareness campaigns, gender-based discrimination remains entrenched in workplaces around the world. From lower wages and fewer promotions to harassment and burnout, many women report being undervalued and under-supported.

Key facts:

• Women still earn 20% less than men globally.

• Only 28% of managerial roles are held by women.

• 40% of employees believe their employers aren’t doing enough to support women.

• 47% want pay transparency to be prioritized.

One woman in the report summed up a common workplace reality:

“I often find myself in work environments where my opinion is not respected.”

Moreover, McKinsey & Company consistently finds that companies with gender-diverse leadership outperform those without, both financially and operationally.

What you can do:

• Businesses: Go beyond diversity targets. Conduct policy audits to ensure equity in pay, promotions, and protection from harassment.

• Individuals: Speak up against bias. Support and amplify women’s voices, especially in male-dominated spaces.

• Men: Become active allies. Advocate for inclusion, and use your privilege to open doors, not close them.

3. Fixing the Future: Fighting Gender Bias in AI and Digital Spaces

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping society—but it's also mirroring and amplifying biases. Because AI learns from human-generated data, decades of gender stereotypes and inequality are being coded into emerging technologies.

Only 28% of people are aware of gender bias in AI, yet once informed, over 50% express concern, especially among Gen Z and Millennials.

Real-world consequences include:

• Facial recognition errors leading to wrongful arrests.

• AI hiring tools favoring male applicants.

• Healthcare algorithms underestimating women’s medical needs.

Tech companies also suffer from a gender gap in leadership—only 35% of tech workers in the U.S. are women. Yet, just 40% of people view this as a problem. Only 24% recognize how often AI portrays women in stereotypical or misogynistic ways.

The result? A future built on flawed foundations unless immediate action is taken.

What you can do:

• Tech leaders: Assemble diverse design teams, audit products for gender bias, and build ethical frameworks for development.

• Online users: Report sexist content, demand responsible tech, and call out bias where you see it.

Public demand for regulation is rising, with 66% of people calling on governments to implement AI policies that protect against gender discrimination.

Looking Ahead: Turning Concern into Action

As the world prepares to mark 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action—the most visionary global roadmap for women’s rights—it’s more important than ever to translate urgency into action.

Young people are ready. They’ve named gender equality a top issue. Now, the path forward is about empowering them with tools and opportunities to lead change—from kitchen tables and boardrooms to coding labs and digital platforms.

Want to help build a more equal world? Start where you are:

• Advocate for flexible workplaces.

• Fight for fairness and inclusion at work.

• Champion ethical, inclusive tech.

Every small action fuels a global shift. And with Gen Z and Millennials at the helm, that shift is already underway.