4th September 2008
Women are missing out on the top jobs, according to the Sex and Power report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The number of women represented in senior posts in 12 of 25 categories had fallen compared to last year, with a further five categories remaining unchanged - something the EHRC called "a worrying trend of reversal or staled progress".
Only eight areas showed an increase.
Women's representation fell at the top level in the law, the media, politics (MPs and members of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly), and health service and local authority chief executives.
However, it rose among company directors, the civil service and local authority council leaders.
The report estimates it will take 55 years for women to achieve equality in senior positions within the law, 73 years in FTSE 100 companies, and 200 years in Parliament.
Commission chief executive Nicola Brewer said young women were in danger of having their aspirations turned to frustration due to barriers and old-fashioned stereotypes of "stay at home mums" and "breadwinner dads".
"We always speak of a glass ceiling," she said. "These figures reveal that in some cases it appears 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."
Women losing out at the top
The number of women represented in senior posts in 12 of 25 categories had fallen compared to last year, with a further five categories remaining unchanged - something the EHRC called "a worrying trend of reversal or staled progress".
Only eight areas showed an increase.
Women's representation fell at the top level in the law, the media, politics (MPs and members of the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly), and health service and local authority chief executives.
However, it rose among company directors, the civil service and local authority council leaders.
The report estimates it will take 55 years for women to achieve equality in senior positions within the law, 73 years in FTSE 100 companies, and 200 years in Parliament.
Commission chief executive Nicola Brewer said young women were in danger of having their aspirations turned to frustration due to barriers and old-fashioned stereotypes of "stay at home mums" and "breadwinner dads".
"We always speak of a glass ceiling," she said. "These figures reveal that in some cases it appears 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."
Tags: Employment
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