Shreya Patel-Parekh

I grew up introverted. Shy, quiet, the child who rarely spoke up. But as I moved into my teenage years, the tide turned. I became rebellious in both good and bad ways (sorry Mum), more outspoken and far more aware of the sexism, racism, and inequality woven into everyday life. My childhood was chaotic, but even within that, I carried a drive to make something of myself. I wanted to experience the world, enjoy life, and create moments. I loved travelling, hosting gatherings, bringing people together — I was known as the 'wild one', the girl some people assumed wouldn't take life seriously. But underneath the surface, my mindset was entirely different. I was focused, determined, and ambitious.

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Like many, I followed the expected route: university, a stable job, marriage, children. I didn't question it at the time; it simply felt like the done thing. Before becoming a mother, I was climbing the corporate ladder at IBM, with partner level on the horizon. But once I had children, it became clear I wasn't managing the life I wanted at home, nor meeting the expectations placed on me from every direction. Eventually, I stepped away.

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I was fortunate that my husband's income meant I had options. But that privilege also brought into sharp focus the very real gaps women face — in pay, pensions, and financial security, and the exhaustion so many of us know too well. The juggle of children, ageing parents, cultural expectations, and the invisible load that falls disproportionately on women, particularly within South Asian households.

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I explored different paths, unsure where I truly fit. During the pandemic, I launched a D&I network, running monthly online events across disability, LGBTQ+ experiences, neurodiversity, and more. It was eye-opening work. But the real turning point came when I read Invisible Women. It stopped me in my tracks. I realised how deeply systems, structures, and data underserve women, and how I'd spent years in corporate environments without fully grasping the scale of it. That's when thefifty1percent began.

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Today, my focus is clear: to help close the health gaps women face. We can't sit around waiting for government reform or for research to catch up. There is brilliant work happening in femtech, research, and community-led initiatives, and women deserve access to it now. I believe the gaps close through knowledge, collaboration, and community.

So come and be part of the puzzle. We're not waiting for change. We're building it. 🧡