Last week, I had the privilege of attending Girlguiding’s International Day of the Girl celebration, during which they released this year’s Girls Attitudes Survey. For the past 15 years Girlguiding has been asking girls aged 7 to 21 about the challenges they face as a girl today. In their 16th year there, it is no surprise how astonishing and, to be frank, quite overwhelming their findings are.
On International Day of the Girl last Friday, I did some small personal reflection on what my girlhood was like after going to the Girlguiding event the night before I was filled with emotion around these alarming statistics that were so clear in society's failure of protecting girlhood. I am 25 and have always felt quite privileged to have grown up in this sweet spot of technology advancing but having the chance not to be exposed to it too early in life. I had a wonderful girlhood, sure there were petty primary school dramas and confusing realisations about growing up but for the most part, I felt safe and confident. The biggest drama I had with technology at the time was that my parents wouldn’t let me have a Tamagotchi, (don’t worry Santa got me one). However, it has been brought to our attention that social media’s impact on girlhood has gotten drastically out of control and is affecting our girls beyond belief.
The survey covered many topics from sexism and safety, online harm, climate change, appearance and well-being, cost-of-living crisis, and a more equal future. The concept of confidence ironically stands out a lot, girls are aware that it “will be one of the most important attributes for a successful future”. However, at the same time as UK girls “approach adolescence, they consistently have lower confidence than UK boys”. The survey findings truly highlight the variety of reasons for this outcome. Girls’ confidence is being affected by everything from experiencing sexism to low self-esteem, anxiety about the future as well as “receiving unwanted sexual images and harassment”.
Because of this, these girls have become so eloquent when it comes to discussing such heavy topics as tackling sexism. These girls know what they want, and need and how to fix it.
In the media - “I want newspapers and TV to stop talking about the way girls look and start talking about what they are achieving.” Girl aged 7-10
In public spaces “Educating men and boys about the effects of sexual harassment and how to prevent people from getting sexually harassed and assaulted and what to do if they ever witness any of these things.” Girl aged 11-16
Online "For social media to stop being so fake, and making men think all women should look how they do on social media. I want marketing companies to stop editing women in pictures and for it to be real. No filters, no editing, just real.” Girl aged 7-10
This must be one of the positive takeaways that these young girls can express these feelings with strength. However, I still can’t help but think they have no other choice than to learn how to be clear about what they need regarding such heavy topics otherwise things won’t change. Should a girl aged 7 to 10 be this knowledgeable of such things? I guess if they are at least, they also know the solution, unfortunate that they also experience the problem.
It is so bizarre to me that we are going backwards – 10 years ago (2014) 59% of girls aged 7-10 felt they were expected to behave differently because they were girls. This has increased to 69% - (and it’s extended even more in marginalised groups. With girls of colour feeling the expectations of being a girl more). In a time where the social media I seem to be exposed to is very empowering and filled with women creating amazing safe spaces online, it saddens me that there are still negative comments being sent to young girls.
“Sometimes people say nasty things on social media.” Girl aged 7-10
A possible result of this is that in 2024 61% of girls and young women ages 11 to 16 are saying they wanted to lose weight compared to 51% in 2018.
One of the most alarming things I read in the report is that 22% of girls ages 7 to 10 have seen rude pictures, double from 11% in 2021. One young woman aged 17-21 said she wants “to be able to go on social media without being forced to send uncomfortable pictures.”
Honestly, it’s pretty astounding that this generation of girls “are also hopeful and curious for the future”, and thankfully they do feel that “girls and women are coming together” and creating “a powerful force for good”. I am now aware more than ever that I need to step up in my role as a female business owner. Especially being one who makes a product that helps girls and women with some of their stresses. I want to become a louder voice and stronger support for them.
We also know from these findings that becoming more environmentally friendly is something that girls and young women are consciously aiming for. “Girls of all ages increasingly feel worried, anxious and overwhelmed by global warming. 37% of girls say this compared to 32% in 2020. Over a third (35%) are angry that more isn’t being done by people with power to address the problem.” Which I say is fair enough and me too! Sadly, I am not a person in power able to address the wider environmental issues, but I can control my little bit of this world and that is POM. A reusable product, made from environmentally friendly materials, creates a sustainable product given it replaces disposable ones. More specifically many girls are concerned about “plastic pollution (from 44% in 2019 to 27%)”, hence why all our packaging is recyclable or biodegradable. It’s also wonderful to hear that girls "11+ are increasingly buying clothes from ethical suppliers."
Another alarming finding relates to POM very closely which is that period poverty also persists, with 1 in 4 girls and young women aged 11-21 worried about being able to afford period products. This stat unfortunately did not surprise me given POM's previous findings. This is why we run our period poverty program and given this information, we will continue to do so.
Of course, while reading this survey, I kept thinking about every issue where POM can help and come to these girls' aid towards some of these issues. The majority of solutions we are already doing but they may not be obvious. So, I want to take this opportunity to make some promises to the girls and young women who took part in this survey. I have never and will continue to not edit the appearance of any of POM's models. Plus I will keep striving to show a range of customers using our product. I will continue to create a safe space online where girls and young women know and feel that they can reach out to me to ask questions about their periods.
I do however want to leave you with some heart-warming words from some of the participants who understand that being a girl is powerful and we shouldn’t forget it. When asked “What’s the best thing about being a girl?” a girl aged 11-16 said “Girlhood – the friendships and solidarity.” And a young woman aged 17-21 said “Feeling empowered in the community of women.” It is so clear that female friendships are beyond valuable when it comes to being a confident and happy woman, and I agree with these girls wholeheartedly. Every day I am so grateful for the community of women I have around me and I encourage everyone to push themselves to find the same.
As Rachel Green said I’m ok “I got my girls.”