Commissioner to examine women's participation in leading business positions
Published: 14 April 2002
On 7 March 2002, the government decided to appoint a special commissioner with the task of examining women's representation in leading positions in private sector business. The commissioner will review the participation of women at management and board levels and look at matters such as the gender distribution among managers and deputy managers in various branches and geographical areas. Taking account of current research in this area, the commissioner will summarise the current state of knowledge regarding the obstacles to women's participation and the structures that determine developments in this area. The commissioner will also examine the working conditions for women in management positions.
In March 2002, the Swedish government appointed a special commissioner to examine women's participation at management and board levels in private sector companies.
On 7 March 2002, the government decided to appoint a special commissioner with the task of examining women's representation in leading positions in private sector business. The commissioner will review the participation of women at management and board levels and look at matters such as the gender distribution among managers and deputy managers in various branches and geographical areas. Taking account of current research in this area, the commissioner will summarise the current state of knowledge regarding the obstacles to women's participation and the structures that determine developments in this area. The commissioner will also examine the working conditions for women in management positions.
The Commissioner will follow up a survey, carried out in 1994, on men's attitudes to women in management (Mäns föreställningar om kvinnor och chefsskap, SOU:1994:3). This survey found that the boards of 72% of private companies contained only men, as did the management groups of 56% of these firms. The management of just over 40% of the companies did not carry out any work to promote equal opportunities inside the company. Male managers and female managers also had quite different opinions about the reasons why the number of women in leading positions was so low and whether it was important to change this.
A consultative group containing representatives from industry, business organisations and the social partners will assist the commissioner.
'Even though Sweden is considered as one of the most gender equal countries in the world it has a long way to go to reach full gender equality,' said Björn Rosengren, the Minister for Industry, Employment and Commerce at the launch of the new initiative. He added: 'major changes in working life have occurred, especially in the public sector, and in governmental companies female representation at management levels has improved. Private business life, however, has not kept up with this development. I look forward to seeing the results of industry participating in the work on the study.'
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2002), Commissioner to examine women's participation in leading business positions, article.
