The disproportionate impact of debt on women

NETworking from Home - Credit Strategy's new interactive series, where we bring our members together to discuss the critical topics and shape the future of finance.

Join us for a powerful and timely discussion with Vikki Brownridge, CEO of StepChange Debt Charity, as we explores the stark gender disparities in problem debt and financial vulnerability.

Drawing on research from StepChange’s Bearing the Burden report, Vikki will shed light on how rising living costs are hitting women particularly hard, with many facing a monthly budget shortfall while men continue to maintain a surplus.

The session will unpack why women, especially single parents, are more likely to fall into problem debt, the role of structural inequalities like the gender pay gap and childcare costs, and what policy changes are urgently needed to create fairer financial safety nets.

Key topics include:

• The link between childcare responsibilities, part-time work, and financial instability
• How Universal Credit shortfalls and inflated household costs deepen inequality
• What changes are needed to protect women from falling into long-term debt

Come ready to learn, reflect, and discuss how we can collectively address the disproportionate financial pressures faced by women in today’s economy.