I am working with an inspirational woman who has pledged to support 1,000 women into leadership roles by 8th March 2011 to celebrate the centenary of International Woman’s Day.
Her name is Tina Fahm (pic left) and she runs a training programme promoting confident and effective leadership. This is surely needed now by organisations more than ever, which I mentioned in an earlier post.
She announced her challenge at the launch of a new programme Developing Women Leaders in the House of Lords. It was hosted by Baroness Margaret Prosser, Deputy Chair of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. (pic right)
Tina, Director of Tina Fahm Training, said that 5,600 women were missing from top positions in the civil service, the judiciary, in FTSE 100 companies and in Parliament.
“These figures were highlighted in a report by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights called Sex and Power which concluded that there seemed to be a trend of reversal, a stagnation of women’s progress into leadership roles.
“I would like to ask what has got to happen for this reversal to 
be addressed. Is it about government solely taking responsibility here? Or is it about organisations making room for women, and women having the courage to take up the challenge? Study after study has affirmed that people associate women and men with different traits and link men more with the traits that promote leadership.
“As 2011 will mark the centenary of International Women’s Day, we have set a target to support 1,000 women into leadership by 8th March 2011. What are you going to do to make the vision of more women in leadership positions a reality? Join us again here in the House of Lords two years from now, and support us in making that vision a reality.â€
Baroness Prosser highlighted the shortage of highly skilled part-time jobs for women, and cited the education sector and National Health Service. She said some highly trained professional women ended up taking unskilled work after having a family because of lack of opportunities in these organisation, some having trained as radiographers or physiotherapists.
Baroness Prosser chaired the Women and Work Commission to investigate reasons for the gender pay and opportunities gap and one of the major causes she discovered was that women lacked opportunities for decent quality part-time employment.
She said: “After having children, women take part-time employment and almost all of the part-time employment on offer is at the bottom of the scale. Once they go into those jobs, they don’t come out of them.â€
I experienced those difficulties myself as I didn’t want to return to work full-time after having my two sons. I had no sympathetic boss, no further training and no support. I felt very frustrated and disappointed as I loved my job and felt I had so much to offer. I welcome any changes that will overcome these difficulties, particularly in today’s economic climate.
*Tina does work with men too!
And all courage to Tina Fahm in fulfilling her challenge.
You’re looking good in front of that wheel, Ellee, have you been up in it? I did once though the visibility wasn’t do good that day.
Yes, that has happened to lots of my contemporaries too. Many women do want to get back on the career ladder when their children are older and yet it is almost impossible to do so – well, it feels impossible which is the same thing really.
You look lovely in that photo!
Sorry but I don’t think either women or men can have it all. Women who take time out of work to have children do so from choice.
Job sharing could be an answer for professional women who want to work part-time. Are there any statistics which show how successful or not job sharing has been?
Good for Tina.
I’m glad Tina works with men too
I’d hate to help one thousand women into top positions, and become unemployed and unemployable myself.
But the issue of maternity leave, maternity cover is still an additional cost. One I welcome – but not all that helpful to a small business which only employs two or three people.
Bring back those days when a man on his own could earn enough money to support a family, and the woman was happy to be a mother & housewife – and whatever other social charge she wished to undertake.
But alas we are in an era where two incomes are demanded just to make ends meet – and of course professional couples will continue to push house prices and the cost of living thru the roof.
Next time you think or complain of inflation – it might be an idea to think WHO and what is pushing house prices and the cost of living up. It is not the government and it is not taxation – It is those who have more willing to pay more – for health, for education, for housing. More than the average family can afford. And a lot more than those living on below ‘average’ inccomes.
Asise from that every person including WOMEN, should be free to pursue their heart’s desire. Whatever that may be.
Woman’s are playing a important role these days in every field.Women do want to get back on their job when their children are older, some women succeed in this and some not able to do so.I think all this depend on their life partner.
This days, women take a big part in every field of jobs. We can not underestimate women. They really can dedicate their life to the work.
I agree, women play a bigger part in society then they are given credit for. They have to look after children, do household chores and work all at the same time whilst trying to have a social life.
I applaud them for not just taking on the challenges, but succeeding in doing it.
Thanks for the article,
http://chinesedemocracyforum.com