Women's Research
RESEARCH PAPERS ON WOMEN'S/GENDER ISSUES
Read the latest research on gender issues - email any you have read and would like to share to: julie@sywol.org
Commission on local councillors
A new Government Commission on local democracy is asking for evidence on what motivates people to become councillors. The Commission will be hosting monthly discussion forums on different issues as it considers the future role of councillors and how more people - in particular those who are currently under-represented such as women, young people and people from ethnic minorities - can be attracted to put themselves forward for local elected office. More information in the Commission is available at: www.communities.gov.uk
The entrepreneurial gap between men and women
The latest figures from Eurostat suggest that there are many more male entrepreneurs running their own businesses in the EU than women, with little sign of this entrepreneurial gap narrowing. There is also a difference in terms of the sectoral concentration of self-employed men and women. Women entrepreneurs are mostly in the distributive trades, business and financial services, hotels and restaurants or community and personal services. A significantly smaller proportion of male entrepreneurs are engaged in these sectors with over 35 per cent working in industry and construction.
Further information is available from:
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-07-030/EN/KS-SF-07-030-EN.PDF
The persistence of employment disadvantage
A new study published by the Department for Work and Pensions examines whether certain social groups are more persistently out of employment than other groups. Based on an analysis of secondary data over a thirty year period, the research concludes that the biggest changes in employment rates have occurred for women, and mothers of young children in particular. Despite having low employment rates compared to other groups, this group is now much less disadvantaged than was the case thirty years ago. Amongst those experiencing the greatest disadvantage in terms of employment rates are disabled people and those from certain ethnic minority groups, notably those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin.
Copies of the report are available from:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep416.pdf
Counting the Cost of Caring: A Women and Pensions Survey
New findings, published in Age Concern's new report 'Counting the cost of caring', reveal that nearly a quarter of women over 60 who took part in Age Concern's online survey1 find it very difficult to manage financially, with around a half saying they manage but have to be careful. 85% of women over 60 - and 60% of those under the age of 60 - admitted that taking time out of work to care had affected their ability to save into a pension. Read the Report in Full
Women are still woefully under-represented at the top, according to new figures from the Equal Opportunities Commission
Women make up just 10 % of directors of FTSE 100 companies and barely 20 % of Parliament, according to Sex and Power: Who Runs Britain? 2007, the Equal Opportunities Commission's annual survey looking at women in senior positions across the public and private sector. In its last Sex and Power survey before the 30-year-old EOC comes to an end in Autumn 2007, the EOC points out that the pace of change at the top in many areas remains painfully slow, and in some cases has even gone into reverse - despite the massive growth of women in work and public life. Click here read the 12 page report Sex and Power: Who Runs Britain? 2007.
'Through the Glass Ceiling: Equalities in the 21st Century'
Speech by Meg Munn MP given at the University of Northampton on 23 October 2006.
www.communities.gov.uk
Pay gaps facing ethnic minority women and men: new report
A new report published this week for the EOC's Moving on up investigation reveals that Pakistani women working full time earn 28% less per hour than white men working full-time. This is a gender pay gap 10% higher than the pay gap facing white British women. The report, by Lucinda Platt of the University of Essex, compares earnings of men and women from 6 ethnic groups: Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean, Black African and white British. Reasons for the pay gaps include concentration of ethnic minority groups in particular sectors, interruptions to employment, regional variations and discrimination. Qualifications do not improve average earnings for ethnic minority women, although they do for men.
Click here to download your copy of the report.
Visit the Equal Opportunities Commission website at www.eoc.org.uk
SYWDT 'Change Up' Project Report Women and Equality in South Yorkshire
Click here to access the full report of the year long consultation with women and women's organisations in South Yorkshire which led to the creation of this website. Click here to read the full report
One Click Away Conference Report
This is the report of the very successful One Click Away conference held at Sheffield Hallam University on 21st April. Over 200 women came together to discuss the Change Up report and have hands on experience of the website. Speakers included two Government Ministers Rosie Winterton MP and Fiona Mctaggart MP, local MP's and our MEP Linda McAvan. Click here for the conference report
Rotherham - Working Together for Women
This is an exciting time for women in Rotherham as work is well underway on developing the first women's strategy for the borough, which is looking to be launched to coincide with International Women's Day in March 2007. Read more about the Women's Strategy by clicking here
Read about the work of the Rotherham Equalities and Diversity Unit by going to their webpages at:
www.rotherham.gov.uk/graphics/YourCouncil/Equalities+and+Diversity/
Sheffield City Council - Corporate Equality Team
Sheffield City Council believes in promoting Gender Equality to ensure that Sex Discrimination in employment and services does not take place. Incorporating a gender perspective into policies means not thinking about people as an homogeneous group but as distinct groups with differing needs, characteristics and behaviours. By assessing the impact of our policies and the different effect they have on men and women we can provide better services in the future.
Please follow this link to find out more about Sheffield Council's Gender Duty Consultation.
