Women still missing out on top posts, says EOC

Women still hold less than 10% of the most senior positions in many areas of British public life, according to a report published today by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

The report, 'Sex and power: who runs Britain?', claimed that women make up just 7% of the senior judiciary, 7% of senior police officers, 9% of top business leaders and 9% of national newspaper editors. There has, however, been progress in some areas – for example, women now account for 23% of the Civil Service top management and 36% of public appointments – but there is still a long way to go, the EOC said.

The EOC has called upon decision-makers in every industry sector to make 2004 the year they take decisive action to dismantle the barriers to women's progress. Britain's working landscape can no longer support an old boys' network, the commission said.

Julie Mellor, Chair of the EOC, said that the findings raised "serious questions" about the ability of the decision makers who run Britain to "identify with the concerns of the general public".

She said: "Almost 30 years since the Sex Discrimination Act was passed, women are still massively under-represented in positions of influence in Britain. No-one can argue any more that it's just a matter of time until more women make it to the top – there have been talented women coming up in business, public life and politics for years.

"Women are still often prevented from getting to the top because they take on more caring responsibilities than men. Until every organisation accepts that they can't capitalise on the talent available without taking account of people's caring roles the profile of the people who run Britain will not change."

She added: "Excluding women from senior positions means that business, government and public services are not only missing out on talent, they are also relying on a narrow range of experiences to make decisions that affect all of our lives."

(gmcg)