Local MP Caroline Dinenage is calling on constituents in Gosport to nominate a hard-working young woman for a Young Women's Trust award.
The awards will recognise young women who have overcome barriers like a lack of confidence or juggling childcare to succeed at the start of their careers. Most awards ceremonies celebrate those at the very top of their profession. But Young Women's Trust wants to shine a light on women who are working hard and often overlooked.
Despite girls on average doing better at school, there are still more young women out of work and stuck in low-paid jobs than men and for many it is a real challenge. Gender stereotypes often encourage women into lower-paid sectors and a lack of flexible work can make it difficult to balance jobs with caring responsibilities. The awards will highlight how challenging it is for many young women who are starting out in the world of work and reward their determination.
The Influencer Award will recognise a young woman who uses her voice to speak up for others. The Exceptional Apprentice Award is for a young woman who has achieved a lot, either personally or professionally, in her apprenticeship. The Conqueror Award will celebrate a young woman who has overcome personal challenges while starting her career path. Nominations are now open and Caroline is asking local residents to get nominating.
Caroline said:
"We have an exceptional amount of talent in the Gosport constituency but sometimes starting out can be really tough for young women. They face challenges like a lack of self-confidence or having to juggle childcare with work or studies.
The Young Women's Trust awards are a great way to recognise the determination of young women who are overcoming those barriers to find work and training opportunities. I'd really encourage everyone to nominate someone they know, so we can make sure our local young women get the recognition they deserve."
Carole Easton, Young Women's Trust chief executive, said:
"Progress is being made to increase the number of women in senior leadership roles, but this work is not making a difference to the barriers young, disadvantaged women face getting a job in the first place. These awards are our way of recognising the amazing young women we meet through our work and all the young women we are still to meet in the UK who overcome challenges every day.
Maybe you are a young mum who has been able to juggle life so that you can study part-time, or perhaps you have held on to a job even though you are in a man's world. We think you are incredible and we want to tell you."
Gladys, 28, used Young Women's Trust's 'Work It Out' service to get back in to work and wants to recognise other young women who are overcoming barriers to work:
"Young Women's Trust is a banner of hope for any young women struggling to get in to or back to employment. These awards are a significant way of recognising the young women who have worked really hard to overcome barriers to work. Make sure you nominate someone you know!"
Nominations are open until 1 January 2017. To make a nomination, go to http://www.youngwomenstrust.org/ywtawards. The awards ceremony will take place in London on 21 February.
