Women’s Life Journey

Women have unfair burdens to carry. This diagram makes it clear, the economic odds are stacked unevenly. Using ABS data, we mapped the moments that shape our lives: education, work, family, health, and wealth. Every stat above the line represents a better economic chance. And almost every time, men sit higher.

Women now outpace men in university education, 36% of women hold a bachelor’s degree compared with 28% of men. But after graduation, the story starts to shift. Workforce participation drops (62% for women vs 71% for men), and unpaid labour rises, 70% of women do housework compared with 42% of men, and 69.9% of women take on physical and emotional care work of children compared with 42.1% of men. These are the daily realities that quietly compound into lifelong inequality.

At the same time, women carry disproportionate risks: 22% have experienced sexual violence (compared with 6% of men) and are more likely to juggle multiple chronic health conditions while feeling “always rushed” (47% of women vs 38% of men). The result? A shorter working life, lower earnings, and less superannuation. Men accumulate an average of $2.4 million in lifetime earnings and retire with a median super balance of $211,996, while women retire earlier, with $1.5 million and $158,806 respectively.

Women also live longer, 85.3 years compared with men’s 81.2, but they do so with fewer financial resources and greater health burdens. The data shows women are navigating life with worse economic security. In almost every life moment women are disadvantaged in comparison to men.

At EVEN, we're dedicated to changing that trajectory. Our mission is to accelerate women’s economic potential, to support women in their lives, their careers and their leadership. It's time to get EVEN.