At Fawcett, we want all children to be who they want to be. 

We are so pleased to once again partner with Wates Group in support of Equal Play, our new campaign to support parents, care givers and influential adults to challenge gender stereotypes with their kids.

Fawcett research has shown that stereotypes contribute towards the mental health crisis among children and young people, are at the root of girls’ problems with body image and eating disorders, higher male suicide rates and violence against women and girls.

But we know parents, caregivers, teachers and practitioners all want to make a difference, and there are small, practical ways to challenge stereotypes in our interactions with children.

Equal Play will provide parents and caregivers with tips and resources and run a series of events with insights from experts and opportunities for parents to feed in their own experiences. 

Our first Equal Play online event, Boys Online: Parenting Against Internet Misogyny, is available for catch up now.

Fawcett’s partnership with Wates on this project comes off the back of Wates’ previous support of Menopause and the Workplace, Fawcett’s landmark report that showed one in ten UK women have left a job due to symptoms of menopause.

Eoghan O'Lionaird, Chief Executive, Wates said:

"At Wates, we aim to be a fair place to work, enabling greater diversity of talent, skills, and experience.

We know that gender preconceptions can be hard to shift, and it’s essential that we do what we can to open young people’s minds to what they could be doing with their lives and their future, without undue or negative influence related to gender prejudices.  This new partnership with the Fawcett Society is just one of the ways we are continuing to work to breaking down systemic barriers and creating opportunities for everyone.

This is the second time both organisations have worked together, following the publication last year of the largest-ever survey of menopausal women in the workplace."

Jemima Olchawski, Chief Executive, Fawcett Society said:

"We are delighted to once again be working with Wates on Equal Play, Fawcett’s campaign to support parents, caregivers, childcare practitioners and influential adults to resist gender stereotypes in the early years. We had fantastic success with Wates’ support on our landmark report Menopause and the Workplace, and it is great to have them on board demonstrating a commitment to gender equality at all stages of life. We know that gender norms and stereotypes imposed on girls in early childhood can affect their outcomes, with a lower take-up of STEM subjects later in life. It’s on all of us to ensure girls’ potential is not limited by gendered assumptions, and it’s fantastic to see a company like Wates taking this step with us.” 

Sign up now to hear more from Equal Play and join the movement to join the gender play gap

To find out more:

• Watch Boys Online: Parenting Against Internet Misogyny
• Sign up to Equal Play to be first to hear about future events and resources 
• Read Menopause and the Workplace, sponsored by Wates