The harsh reality is that the workplace can be very different for women - From wage gaps to discrimination and barriers to progressing up the career ladder, being a working woman can be tough.

Levels of inequality also vary massively from place to place, even jut within the UK, and whilst there is still a long way to go, south London has actually emerged as one of the best places for working woman.

A new study from SmartSurvey has revealed that Wandsworth has claimed the number one spot for women in work in the entire UK.

The borough top scores when it comes to average earnings for women at just over £40,000 a year, and this is almost on par with men in Wandsworth, falling just 0.6% short.

The research shows that 56.5% of the total workforce of Wandsworth is female, but despite this and Wandsworth having the highest overall score in the UK, just 22.8% of women there are employed as managers, directors or senior officials.

London itself makes up half of the top 10 areas on the new list, with three of those coming from south London.

South London

South London

Also representing south London on the power rankings are Merton at number nine, and Lewisham at number 10.

The stats show Merton has an average wage for women of £28,046 and a gender pay gap of 6.3%.

In Lewisham, the pay gap is only 4.3%, and the average way £27,865. However, just 16.4% of women are employed at a senior or managerial level, despite making up over half the total workforce in the borough.

The research aims to highlight the best and worst areas for working women as countries across the world begin to look forward to returning to the workplace.

It also highlights that a vast amount of London boroughs are great places for women in work, although surprisingly places like Anglesey in Wales and Blackpool in the North West also feature in the top 10.

Croydon comes in at 37 on the list with a gender pay gap of 15.2% and an average wage for women of £24,354.

At 39 is Bromley, with £25,546 average earnings, and a pay gap of 19.4%.

The full list for south London (featuring all boroughs within the top 100 areas in the UK) is as follows:

1. Wandsworth: Gender pay gap - 0.6%. Average wage - £40,002. Women as % of workforce - 56.5%. Women employed at senior level - 22.8%. Overall score - 8.22

9. Merton: Gender pay gap -6.3%. Average wage - £28,046. Women as % of workforce - 52.7%. Women employed at senior level - 18.2%. Overall score - 6.12

10. Lewisham: Gender pay gap - 4.3%. Average wage - £27,865. Women as % of workforce - 53.3%. Women employed at senior level - 16.4%. Overall score - 6.08

19. Lambeth: Gender pay gap -16.4%. Average wage - £30,613. Women as % of workforce - 49.5%. Women employed at senior level - 18.0%. Overall score - 5.56

37. Croydon: Gender pay gap -15.2%. Average wage - £24,354. Women as % of workforce - 53%. Women employed at senior level - 15.8%. Overall score - 5.18

39. Bromley: Gender pay gap -19.4%. Average wage - £25,546. Women as % of workforce - 50.4%. Women employed at senior level - 18.6%. Overall score - 5.13

48. Southwark: Gender pay gap -21.4%. Average wage - £28,311. Women as % of workforce - 49.0%. Women employed at senior level - 17.2%. Overall score - 5.01

52. Sutton: Gender pay gap -3.2%. Average wage - £28,311. Women as % of workforce - 46.3%. Women employed at senior level - 16.0%. Overall score - 4.92

56. Bexley: Gender pay gap -17.1%. Average wage - £27,240. Women as % of workforce - 50.6%. Women employed at senior level - 13.2%. Overall score - 4.88

The top place in the world was Norway, with women earning 5% less than men, as well as providing one of the best environments for women looking to start a business.

The UK took 12th spot, with Mexico ranking the worst in the world.

The lowest scoring locations for women in work

1. High Peak, East Midlands

2. Barrow-in-Furness, North West

3. Broxtowe, East Midlands

4. Folkestone and Hythe, South East

5. Ashford, South East

6. Tamworth, West Midlands

7. Amber Valley, East Midlands

8. Allerdale, North West

9. Lincoln, East Midlands

10. South Staffordshire, West Midlands

The statistics were generated using data from the Office of National Statistics annual survey.