European women behind the Americas
European women are less likely to hold legislative or managing positions than their North American and Latin American counterparts, according to a major new released by the International Labour Organization. In the Global Report on Equality at Work 2007 – women representation in these positions, throughout the world, increased to 28.3 percent from 25.5 in 1995.
“A key measure of women’s improvement is the availability of good-quality jobs for women in legislative, senior official or managerial positions with higher participation rates indicating a reduction of discriminatory barriers,” the report wrote. One of the report’s major themes addressed the persistent gender gaps in employment and pay and the need for policies to redress discrimination and occupational segregation and the promotion of work-life balance. It also underlines that combating discrimination is urgent “in the face of a world that appears increasingly unequal, insecure and unsafe. Significant and persistent inequalities in income, assets and opportunities dilute the effectiveness of any action aimed at combating discrimination. This may lead to political instability and social upheaval, which upset investment and economic growth.”
