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Focus - Women: why so few of them?

By Jo Cameron (June 2005 Issue)
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Manufacturers suggest that women only represent 10 to 20 per cent of their workforce. Jaguar and Land Rover have made some good progress under the leadership of Ford to improve the number of women in their ranks and now have a woman heading their premium car manufacturer Jaguar. In the retail sector it is a very different story; indeed, you are hard pressed to find a woman who will want to sell you a car. This seems incredible, since most women now own their own car. What’s more, it’s an interesting paradox because in other retail sector jobs women significantly outnumber men.

The larger car manufacturers have realised that in order to keep their reputation in tact they must make positive moves towards increasing the number of women in their ranks. The more astute among them have realised that it can also be good for business, as women can say clearly what they want from their cars in the same way as golfers will tell you what they want from their clubs. Car manufacturers have also recognised that women could offer a solution to the increasing skills shortages faced by most of the industry.

The focus on gender integration is not new to the UK. The debate has been raging for some time. Indeed, as recently reported by Julie Griffiths in People Management, the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is still insisting that employers are not doing enough to challenge gender segregation. It suggested that although businesses recognised the benefits, there was consistent lack of action most notably in the smaller organisations, as they are more ‘traditional’ in their approach.1

The case is clear-cut. There is nothing to prevent women working in the same numbers as men. Both are equally able to perform most jobs. The problem is purely in the mind, with many people having outdated views and attitudes towards women at work. It is long-held assumptions that make it difficult for women to enter and succeed in the industry and for diversity to secure its place in the industry vocabulary. ...

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