Hard work and commitment needed to smash concrete ceiling

Published: Monday, November 24, 2014

National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today welcomed the Equality Tribunal ruling in the case of Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington and says the ruling needs to prompt a conversation around changing predominantly male corporate culture.

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,
“The figures which came out during the case taken by Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington were extremely worrying – men had a one in two chance of promotion, while the women who apply for the same promotion have less than a one in three chance. While women are in majority at College Lecturer grade, that figure is inverted and the majority of Senior Lecturers are men. These figures are repeated across virtually all sectors of society, and the failure to ensure gender balance in senior decision making positions is a massive social and cultural problem for Ireland.”

Louise Glennon, Women in Politics and Decision Making Officer commented,
“A recent report from Global executive recruitment agency Egon Zehnder highlighted yet again that Ireland was lagging behind the rest of Europe when it comes to women on corporate boards. Research has consistently shown the benefits of a diverse range of opinions, and has proven that firms with women on their boards outperform those without.”

Louise Glennon continued,
“The Government must lead by example and implement positive measures to achieve gender balance.  The Programme for Government included a 40 per cent gender target for State Boards.  This has not yet been reached.  It is critical that gender balance is named as a critical target of Minister Brendan Howlin’s ongoing review of the State Boards appointments process.  In addition we recommend that this target is extended to all semi-state and local boards in order to ensure that gender balance is a consideration at all levels, and all regions.”

Orla O’Connor concluded,
“We must take a two pronged approach to achieving gender balance.  The onus must be on those making board appointments to recognise the need for gender balance and to consciously take steps to achieve it.  This must be combined with a review of Ireland’s family leave policies, which currently offer little support to families with young children and compare poorly to other European countries.    While participation for men and women without children is almost equal at 85%, women’s participation rate plummets to 57% with the youngest child under the age of 3 years. Because of Ireland’s poor family leave and care policies women in Ireland continue to bear the predominate responsibility of care which negatively impacts on their career progression.  The reconciliation of work and family life is central to promoting greater equality in society and to ensure that women can smash through the concrete ceiling.”

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For more information: please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications Officer, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Tel. 085 858 9104.