More than 30 years after the Sex Discrimination Act was introduced, women in Wales are still missing out on the top jobs.
Marcella Maxwell, Chief Executive of Chwarae Teg, said, 'Despite equality legislation, significant barriers remain which prevent women from progressing and making a significant contribution to the talen base and ultimeate economic prosperity of Wales and the UK. At present barriers to women's participation in the workplace costs the UK economy between £15bn and £23bn of 1.3% to 2% of GDP per year.
Men and women enter the labour market on equal terms but often women have to 'trade down' and defer seeking promotional opportunities due to child and, increasingly, elder care responsibilities. The availability of genuine flexible working opportunities diminishes the higher up the career ladder one progresses.
The result is that many women take lower-paid, part-time jobs or leave the labour market altogether. This has not only cost the business in terms of recruitment costs but the retention of skilled and experienced staff. There is also a wider economic cost for Wales in not maximising the potential of women in the economy.
Source: "Women still missing out on fair share of the top jobs", Western Mail, Friday 5th January 2007
Last Updated: 09/01/2007 13:21:34 By Sian Baird Murray
