‘Sex and Power’, the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s annual report looking at women in top positions of power and influence across the public and private sectors, suggests a worrying trend of reversal or stalled progress – with only a few significant increases.
Now in its fifth year, the index this year indicates fewer women hold top posts in 12 of the 25 categories (almost half). In another 5 categories, the number of women remains unchanged since 2007’s index. Women’s representation has increased in just 8 areas.
There are fewer women MPs in Westminster, where they make up just 19.3 percent of all MPs. Women’s representation among FTSE 100 directors has improved slightly from 10.4 to 11.0 percent.
This year’s report, which traditionally estimates the number of years at the present rate of progress it will take for women to achieve equality in key areas, indicates that compared to previous year’s predictions it will now take 15 years longer (a total of 55 years) for women to achieve equal status at senior levels in the judiciary, and women directors in FTSE 100 companies could be waiting in the wings a further 8 years (a total of 73 years).
If women were to achieve equal representation among Britain’s 31,000 top positions of power, the Commission estimates nearly 5,700 ‘missing’ women would rise through the ranks.
www.equalityhumanrights.com
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