I can't really understand why a comparison between men's football and women's football should be made. We don't do it with athletics, swimming, table-tennis, cricket, golf, etc, etc, etc.
As regards the way academy footballers are treated, it's all down to the amount of finance a club is willing to provide for their women's teams. Financial support has to be vastly increased. Thankfully the England women are championed by such a high-profile ex-player as Ian Wright. Hopefully more high profile males - both current players and ex players and managers - will lend their weight to the cause.