> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://londoncoworkingassembly.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Women Are Still Justifying Their Right to Exist at Work - URL: https://londoncoworkingassembly.com/women-are-still-justifying-their/ - Published: 2025-01-30T09:50:12.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-30T09:50:12.000Z - Description: Why women need spaces of their own, the reality of the motherhood tax, and how Breaker Collective is building community first. - Author: Bernie J Mitchell - Tags: 🎙️Coworking Values Podcast, #Migrated-1775294871643, #Import 2026-04-04 09:38 Women Are Still Justifying Their Right to Exist at Work 0:00 /200 1× ### **Episode Summary:** **Women don’t need permission to create spaces for themselves—but they’re still expected to ask for it.** When **Caroline D’Anna Horne** first mentioned creating a coworking space for women, she wasn’t met with curiosity—she was met with concern. **“What about the men?”** people asked. **“Why can’t they be a part of it?”** Some even called it **anti-feminist**. Because it ‘seems’ a space designed for women needs justification, while **male-dominated spaces are... spaces.** At first, Caroline felt the need to explain. Now? **She knows she doesn’t have to.** In this episode, **Bernie** and **Caroline** get into the **motherhood tax, the gender pay gap, and the quiet weight of guilt, isolation, and imposter syndrome** that women carry every day. Why do men’s salaries **increase after they have kids while women’s careers stall?** Why do **landlords, investors, and employers still treat working mothers as a liability?** Caroline isn’t waiting for the system to catch up. She and her co-founder **Gemma** are **building something tangible**—a **community-first coworking model** that **works for women**. No corporate diversity panels, no permission-seeking—**just women designing the space they need.** If you’re a woman **trying to balance ambition with life**—or a man wondering why women still have to fight for the basics—**this episode is for you.** --- ### **Timeline Highlights:** \[0:02\] – Bernie opens the episode and introduces Caroline. \[0:37\] – Caroline explains what Breaker Collective is all about. \[1:39\] – The moment Caroline hesitated to create a coworking space for women—and why she changed her mind. \[3:10\] – Why do so many women feel **apologetic** about creating something just for them? \[5:11\] – The **power of community** in reducing isolation at every stage of life. \[6:25\] – The **motherhood tax**—how women lose career progress, earnings, and opportunities after having kids. \[8:52\] – The **fatherhood bonus**—men’s salaries increase after having children, while women’s plummet. \[9:54\] – **Why equal pay is "too complicated"—but getting to Mars isn’t.** \[11:06\] – The emotional and financial **impact of the gender pay gap.** \[12:16\] – Women leaders fighting for change—from **Pregnant Then Screwed** to **Anna Whitehouse.** \[13:12\] – **What 125+ women told Breaker Collective about their biggest struggles.** \[17:16\] – **Three words that come up repeatedly:** Loneliness, guilt, and confidence. \[22:35\] – **Why do women feel guilty about taking time for themselves**—even for a haircut? \[26:22\] – The **long-lasting impact of cultural expectations** on women’s roles. \[29:21\] – How **COVID pushed women back decades** in workplace equality. \[31:00\] – **Who does the school always call first?** (Hint: It’s not Dad.) \[32:22\] – **The confidence gap:** 75% of female executives experience imposter syndrome. \[33:39\] – Caroline’s **career before kids**—working across East Africa and South Sudan. \[35:30\] – **Being paid 75% less than a male colleague with the same CV.** \[38:37\] – **How Breaker Collective is building community BEFORE securing a space.** \[41:17\] – Why **coworking spaces don’t need buildings to start making an impact.** \[43:31\] – Where to find **Breaker Collective** and get involved. --- ### **Detailed Episode Breakdown:** **Why Women Need Their Own Spaces** Caroline shares her initial hesitation about launching a **women-focused coworking space**—and why she no longer apologises for it. She explains how Breaker Collective creates **a space where women can thrive, connect, and focus without justifying themselves.** **The Motherhood Tax vs. The Fatherhood Bonus** Women’s careers **stall after having children, while men’s salaries increase.** Caroline breaks down the numbers and highlights how workplace structures still **reward fathers and penalise mothers.** **The Realities of Equal Pay—and Why It’s Still “Too Complicated”** Governments and businesses claim fixing the **gender pay gap** is difficult—yet the same companies can **launch billion-dollar rockets and solve instant payments across the internet.** **Loneliness, Guilt, and Confidence: The Three Challenges Women Face Most** Breaker Collective surveyed **125+ women** and heard the same struggles over and over: - **Loneliness**—Whether you’re a new mum, a working parent, or childless, many women feel isolated in different stages of life. - **Guilt**—From taking time for self-care to prioritising work, women are conditioned to **justify every decision.** - **Confidence**—Imposter syndrome is **rampant** among highly qualified, successful women. **Building a Coworking Community Before Securing a Space** While searching for the **right physical location,** Breaker Collective has hosted events, supported women, and proved demand. Caroline explains why **community always comes first—then the building.** --- ### **Links & Resources:** - [The Breaker Collective Website](https://www.thebreakercollective.com/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Pregnant Then Screwed Campaign](https://pregnantthenscrewed.com/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Anna Whitehouse (Mother Pukka) on Motherhood & Work](https://www.motherpukka.co.uk/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Coworking Values Podcast on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/coworking-values-podcast/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Join The Coworking Community Builder Cohort](https://thirdplaceworks.com/community-builder-cohorts/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Register for European Coworking Day, May 2025](https://coworkingday.eu/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Get Your Pass for the Workspace Design Show London 2025](https://workspaceshow.co.uk/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Join the 8k Members in the LinkedIn Coworking Group](https://www.linkedin.com/groups/33807/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Connect with Emily on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilygbreder/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com) - [Connect with Caroline on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-d-anna-horne-88a82963/?ref=londoncoworkingassembly.com)