What can PhD students and postdocs do to counter inequalities?

From the outside, scientific research might seem like a realm where everyone is assessed solely based on their merits, free from discrimination resulting from inequalities. From the inside, however, we notice that this is not the case. Discrimination and inequality exist in academia because it is part of larger society where these harms are intrinsic or entrenched. While principal investigators (PIs) and decision-makers possess the capacity to effect substantial changes to improve academia, we, as early-stage researchers (ESRs), may feel powerless, not having yet a permanent position and, consequently, being less influential within our institutions. Can we do something about it?