Invisible Women: The Everyday Moments That Make Women Feel Overlooked

Invisible Women

I was recently speaking with a subject matter expert – an experienced, senior woman – who shared something all too familiar: time and time again, her junior male colleagues are assumed to be more senior and more knowledgeable than she is, especially in meetings or in front of clients.

It reminded me of everyday experiences of my wife and I: the Invisible Women Experience.

Some recent highlights:
• She handled the entire hotel check-in – yet the receptionist turned to me to ask for our car’s number plate.
• She ordered the wine, but I was handed the glass to taste.
• She asked for the bill, but the card machine was brought to me.
• She contributed equally to our shared wealth, yet the IFA only talks to me.
• And my all-time favourite: on a long-haul business class flight, the cabin crew called me “sir” and attended to me with expert care — while seemingly ignoring her altogether.

These are small moments – individually perhaps forgettable, collectively powerful. All dealt with respectfully and politely at the time.

They reinforce a pattern that so many women recognise: being overlooked, underestimated, or simply rendered invisible.

We need to do better — and that starts with noticing.

Have you experienced this?