Book Review: Fix the System, Not the Women by Laura Bates

As the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, Laura Bates is no stranger to tackling gender inequality head-on, and this book is no exception. “Fix the System, Not the Women”* is a hard-hitting and essential read, that confronts the realities of how women are treated, and how systemic failures, flawed systems and deep-rooted cultural issues feed this inequality. Whilst this title may feel like a detour for a personal development books club, I will explain more about why “Fix The System, Not The Women” needs to be on everyone’s bookshelf.

Through her activism, including the “Everyday Sexism Project”, she witnesses the frequency and variety of sexism that girls and women experience.  When you look at the site, it’s a stark reminder of all the places this happens, through the list of “Work Place, Public Space, Home, Public Transport, School, University, Media”. It seems that this book has been inspired, in part, by witnessing the catalogue of examples she has, and continues to be, collected.

Right from the start, Bates dives into the societal norms and stereotypes that limit women. She doesn’t just call them out; she shows how these norms create environments where women have to constantly fight to prove their worth We have covered this, previously, through the review of “The Authority Gap”, but Bates takes this discussion to another level.  It’s refreshing to see someone point out that the problem isn’t women needing to “lean in” or be tougher, or to be trained to be more assertive—it’s the system that’s stacked against us.

One of the most striking aspects of this book is how Bates connects these everyday injustices to larger systemic issues. She lays out practical solutions for real change, such as implementing comprehensive workplace equality laws and protecting reproductive rights. Her call for better measures to combat gender-based violence is both urgent and necessary, including more robust reporting mechanisms and support for survivors. I read this book during the change in Government in the UK; a time where there is hope about the proposed new, and updated laws and policies and the rights of workers to be expanded.

Education is another key area Bates focuses on. She passionately argues for raising awareness and integrating education on sexism and gender issues into school curriculums from an early age. This approach feels spot-on because it tackles the root causes of inequality rather than just addressing the symptoms. The need to change this across generations.

Bates also talks about the importance of representation and diversity in leadership. She makes a compelling case for why we need more women and marginalised groups in decision-making roles. Diverse leadership brings different perspectives and leads to more inclusive and effective policies, which is crucial for creating workplaces and institutions that truly reflect the communities they serve.

All these points are the key reasons why this book is within a personal development book club for people wanted to develop their careers. Work is not experienced within a vacuum; it is impacted by the cultures, beliefs and structures that impact all other areas of life. Linking all the elements under the very real issue of sexism, misogyny and violence brings the issues into sharp focus. But, it also gives us a guide to where we can start making a difference; in our homes, our classrooms and our workplaces. Whilst we influence what we can, we also make sure we have policymakers in place to shift society to a more equal setting.

You can read the other book review titles here.

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