WIREDGOV

“The Equality and Human Rights Commission welcomes the new report from the Women’s Business Council. To strengthen economic performance Britain needs to draw on female talent and the Council’s report makes an overwhelming business case for doing just that. We hope the report’s insights will maximise women’s participation in the workforce.

“The Commission’s work on gender diversity on boards of listed companies showed that only a small percentage of directors in FTSE 100 companies were women.  The report took an in-depth look at the appointment process. It found that board chairs, who are mainly male, tended to favour applicants with similar characteristics to themselves. The report recommended ways of making the appointment process more transparent and widening the pool of applicants.  To develop a pipeline of female talent, businesses also need to do more to embrace flexible working, especially for parents and mothers returning to work after time out for childcare.  Many businesses already appreciate how vital this is and we fully support the government’s intention to extend the right to request this to everyone.  

“We endorse the WBC recognition of the importance of business working with schools to broaden girls’ aspirations and career choices. The Commission further supports the report’s finding that more assistance should be given to women entrepreneurs and those looking  to start up their own businesses and that it calls for the potential of older women to be tapped.”

For more press information contact the Commission’s media office on 0161 8298102, out of hours 07767 272 818.

Notes to Editors

The Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.  It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain.  It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.  The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act.  It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.