Why do women invest less than men?

Gender equality is the topic du jour — from the gender wage gap to gender bias in the workplace, people are discussing the issues like never before, and it’s about time. But one iteration of gender equality hasn’t received the attention it deserves, and truly needs — the gender gap in investing.

In a study by Moneyfarm, over half of women without financial investments in Britain cite a lack of funds as the most common barrier to investing. And almost 25 per cent say they do not have any disposable income in a typical month – versus just 14 per cent of men.

Women’s aversion to investing is well documented, but little progress has been made in the way of a solution. Due to different career trajectories and predicted longer lifespans, among other factors, women need to be investing for their futures now.

In our next #MashaBiz on Tuesday, February 27 at 11a.m. EST/16:00p.m. BST on Facebook Live we’ll be discussing the implications, causes, and solutions for this little-discussed topic.

Hosted in partnership with UBS the chat will feature expertise from Rina Kupferschmid-Rojas, Global Head of Sustainable Finance, UBS and Society, Rhonesha Byng, founder of Her Agenda, and will be hosted by Mashable UK’s Lifestyle Correspondent, Rachel Thompson.

Rina is responsible for the Client strategy of UBS and Society Group worldwide, previously Global Head of Sustainable Investing at UBS Wealth Management. She was previously Managing Partner and CEO of ESG Analytics, an environmental, social and governance-oriented investment consultancy, and later Social Impact Director at MasterCard. She is also an adjunct Professor at Columbia University on Sustainable Investing and Impact Investing and since 2013 has been one of the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Young Global Leaders.

Rhonesha Byng is the founder and CEO of Her Agenda— a digital media platform bridging the gap between ambition and achievement for millennial women. The site provides access to content and community that gives millennial women access to information and inspiration to help them get started or to move to the next level of their career.

Rhonesha is an Emmy award-winning journalist and entrepreneur whose philosophy in life is established by her acronym of N.E.S.H.A. No one Ever Slows Her Agenda. This motto served as the inspiration for Her Agenda. Rhonesha was named to the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and ESSENCE magazine named her among 50 Founders To Watch.

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