International Women’s Day: buying and renting in London are both less affordable for women than men

International Women’s Day was invented in 1911 to allow women to girlboss it online for 24 hours a year. Only to find out that March 9 was a day later, the economic, political, and cultural disadvantages of femaledom were still there. Even in entry-level jobs, the gender pay gap means that housing is more expensive for women than it is for men, whether they are renting or buying. According to the Women’s Budget Group, the reality is quite stark. “On average, women have lower incomes than men and less capital. They are therefore more likely to be disenfranchised in a housing market where access to housing is largely determined by the market. The briefing revealed that Londoners spend on average 32 percent of their income on rent. However, male private renters spend 28 percent and women only 43 per cent. This means that they can save more money for a deposit and have more buying power than the average woman. According to Boomin, the average Londoner would spend five years earning more than her male counterpart to purchase a GBP521,000 London house. READ MOREOn International Women’s Day there are five ways to achieve gender equity. The capital’s affordability is at its lowest level since 2017. As more people seek to purchase their first property, the demand for London flats rises. London housing is not affordable for many people whose gender identity doesn’t come from “inherited wealth”. This is not a call for a battle between the sexes. However, we must acknowledge that there is an inequal struggle until the gender pay gap is closed.