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'Snail's pace' for women in power

04/09/2008

Backwards progress has been reported for women's representation in positions of power in Britain, as the government publishes its own views on how to solve the problem in public life.

The independent Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) index says women's progress is going at "a snail's pace", with fewer women in senior positions in 12 of 25 categories. Only eight categories have seen progress while five saw no change.

As a result of the latest results the EHRC now predicts it will take women 15 years longer than was previously anticipated to achieve equality with men in the judiciary and eight years longer for women directors in FTSE 100 companies.

Chief executive Nicola Brewer said the glass ceiling often discussed appears in some cases to be made of "reinforced concrete".

"We need radical change to support those who are doing great work and help those who want to work better and release talent," she added.

The government today released a report focusing on how to get women more involved civic and civil life. At present less than a third of local authority councillors are women while in the House of Commons under a fifth are female.

Closing the Gap, from the Equalities Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government, focuses on under-representation in political life. Role models, community-level networks and specific measures targeting ethnic minorities are among the measures it recommends to address the issue.

Barbara Follett, deputy minister for women and equality, said "the face of policymaking" could be changed by getting women more involved in local and national governance.

"We have seen this happen in parliament where issues such as violence against women, maternity leave, flexible working and childcare are regularly discussed and we now have better and stronger policies in all these areas," she explained.

"This is due to increased women's representation. Engaging more women into public life can also help ensure that public services reflect the communities they serve and maximise the skills that women can bring to these positions."

Fawcett Society director Katherine Rake said the government had to "set its own house in order" and take quick action to address the "unjust hurdles" faced by women as they strive to reach the top.

Commenting on the EHCR report, she added: "This is a fundamental matter of fairness and justice for women. And it has consequences for the whole of society.

"With so few women in power, the UK is wasting a colossal amount of talent and all sectors are impoverished as a result."