Ambition, drive, power... British women are on a high

BRITISH women feel more empowered than ever and believe they have greater ambition and drive than men, research shows.

They say their independence and freedom of choice is unparalleled as society finally wakes up to the fact that they are not “just” mothers.

A poll found 76 per cent say the 21st century has become the best time to live as a woman, with 86 per cent rating femininity as a strength and 73 per cent making most financial decisions for their family.

With women estimated to control two-thirds of the global £12.3trillion of consumer spending, they represent a growth market bigger than China and India combined.

And in a “full potential” scenario – in which women would play an identical role in labour markets to men – global GDP could rise £19.2trillion, or 26 per cent, by 2025.

The claims come in the Women’s Index, which examines attitudes to careers, ambition, religion, finance, sexuality, looks, attractiveness, parenting and health.

Spanning nine countries – US, China, Australia, Brazil, UK, Saudi Arabia, India, Russia and South Africa – the three-year study quizzed more than 4,300 women. Some 56 per cent believe they are more ambitious than husbands and partners while 79 per cent agree that having children has made them more productive and focused.

Eighty per cent feel technology empowers them and 68 per cent are confident of achieving goals.

And in a nod to the Archers storyline on Radio 4 about an abusive relationship, one in nine women – and one in four in Brazil – say positive female role models have given them the courage to leave a violent partner.

Rachel Pashley, of research authors J. Walter Thompson, said: “We still view women through a narrow lens of parental responsibility. We should be celebrating achievements and aspirations, trying to improve lives through better understanding.”