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Women 'still lack power' in Wales Women 'still lack power' in Wales
(about 3 hours later)
There are still too few women in positions of power and influence in Welsh life, according to a new report.There are still too few women in positions of power and influence in Welsh life, according to a new report.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission found even in sectors with a high proportion of women, few, if any, obtain top decision-making roles.The Equality and Human Rights Commission found even in sectors with a high proportion of women, few, if any, obtain top decision-making roles.
Overall, the commission said that almost no progress has been made in achieving gender balance at Wales' top tables since its report in 2004.Overall, the commission said that almost no progress has been made in achieving gender balance at Wales' top tables since its report in 2004.
Who Runs Wales? examined 10 areas, such as politics, health and business.Who Runs Wales? examined 10 areas, such as politics, health and business.
The report has been issued despite earlier studies which have said the prominence of women in the Welsh assembly had "transformed" the politics of Wales. The report has been issued despite earlier studies which have said the prominence of women in the Welsh assembly had "transformed" the politics of Wales. SURVEY'S KEY FINDINGS There are no women chief executives at Wales' top 100 companies (93 firms responded)9% of council leaders and 25% of councillors are women. There are no black or Asian women councillors16% of secondary school head teachers are women despite 74% of teachers being women21% of council chief executives are women, despite 73% of council staff being female. Source: Who Runs Wales? Equality and Human Rights Commission
SURVEY'S KEY FINDINGS There are no women chief executives at Wales' top 100 companies (93 firms responded)9% of council leaders and 25% of councillors are women. There are no black or Asian women councillors16% of secondary school head teachers are women despite 74% of teachers being women21% of council chief executives are women, despite 73% of council staff being female. Source: Who Runs Wales? Equality and Human Rights Commission
A report by two universities, Swansea and Warwick, said in January that political debates were more consensual in the assembly, where 47% of AMs are women.A report by two universities, Swansea and Warwick, said in January that political debates were more consensual in the assembly, where 47% of AMs are women.
But the new report uncovered the fact that there is not a single female chief executive among the 100 top private companies.But the new report uncovered the fact that there is not a single female chief executive among the 100 top private companies.
Commission researchers also discovered there are no black or Asian women councillors, that only 25% of councillors in Wales are women, and only 9% of council leaders in the country are female.Commission researchers also discovered there are no black or Asian women councillors, that only 25% of councillors in Wales are women, and only 9% of council leaders in the country are female.
Kate Bennett, the commission's national director for Wales, said their report "paints a picture of life in Wales in which our boardrooms are overwhelmingly male and it is largely men who take the big decisions that impact on all of our lives." Kate Bennett, the commission's national director for Wales, said this and the fact that there were no women university vice-chancellors in Wales, showed there was "just no progress".
Ms Bennett said: "Personal experience plays a major role in the decisions people take. She said: "The reason this is so important is that these people make decisions that affect our everyday lives."
"So if those making the decisions are drawn from a narrow section of society, most people's needs will be overlooked. Poor decisions have an adverse impact on all our lives. She added: "So if those making the decisions are drawn from a narrow section of society, most people's needs will be overlooked. Poor decisions have an adverse impact on all our lives.
She said diversity helped organisations "be more in tune with the people they serve" and the report was not just about getting women into top jobs. It is crucial that there is no retreat on our equality agenda Glenys Kinnock MEPShe said diversity helped organisations "be more in tune with the people they serve" and the report was not just about getting women into top jobs. It is crucial that there is no retreat on our equality agenda Glenys Kinnock MEP
She said; "It's about changing the way services are delivered in order to ensure they take account of everyone's needs." She said the lesson to be drawn from the report was that "good intentions are not enough.
She also said the lesson they draw from their report was that "good intentions are not enough. The commission said it wanted:
"Decisive action has to be taken for women to achieve positions of power in Wales. We want to move women into the fast lane as a matter of urgency." • Political parties to use special measures to increase the number of women selected as candidates for winnable seats
The commission will be taking action to change the situation. • Employers and public bodies to increase efforts to recruit people from under-represented groups for all vacancies.
• It will include encourage political parties to use special measures to increase the number of women selected as candidates for winnable seats • A re-think of the "long hours, late hours, rigid hours" working culture which it said can prevent women from progressing in organisations.
• It wants employers and public bodies to increase efforts to recruit people from under-represented groups for all vacancies. However, Louise Evans, managing partner for the Bristol and Cardiff offices of accountancy firm Grant Thornton, said the report's conclusions did not "follow on from the facts".
• It is also calling for a rethink of the "long hours, late hours, rigid hours" working culture which it says can prevent women from progressing in organisations. 'Equality agenda'
The report is being launched at an International Women's Day event hosted by AM Rosemary Butler and MEP Glenys Kinnock. She said the report showed that women were not doing things, rather than could not do things.
She said: "I think women do have opportunity in Wales. A lot of it is about choice.
"They make a different choice... if they choose to deal with the family, which is equally important."
The commission's report is being launched at an International Women's Day event hosted by AM Rosemary Butler and MEP Glenys Kinnock.
Ms Kinnock added: "Today, as we face up to precarious economic times, it is crucial that there is no retreat on our equality agenda.Ms Kinnock added: "Today, as we face up to precarious economic times, it is crucial that there is no retreat on our equality agenda.
"Now, more than ever, Wales must utilise all the talent of all its people, combining to see us through this global recession and ensure effective decision making.""Now, more than ever, Wales must utilise all the talent of all its people, combining to see us through this global recession and ensure effective decision making."