Women As Leaders After more than two decades of focusing specifically on leadership skills for women, recent statistical revelations about the status of women and work and in particular leadership, is very concerning. In general, women’s advancement is sadly lacking in workplaces all over the world. In spite of progress made with regard to women’s rights across many areas, Australian women continue to be under-represented, particularly in the upper levels, and in some industries and occupations; while being overrepresented in others.  In virtually all sectors of the paid workforce, women are under-represented in leadership positions. The EOWA 2012 Census of Women in Leadership shows that women only hold 9.2% of executives in ASX 500 and only 12.3% of directorships in the ASX 200.  Furthermore only twelve ASX 500 companies have female CEOs.  Alarmingly, the number of women on The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has been collecting workplace leadership since 2002. Through their work, it becomes evident that there has been minimal improvement in gender disparity in ASX companies.   WHY IS HAVING WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP A PRIORITY?  Gender disparity in Australian workplaces, such as the disparity between men and women in leadership roles, perpetuates existing stereotypes about the role of women, both at work and in wider society, and exacerbates gender pay inequity. Further, research has shown that having significant numbers of women in leadership positions encourages and sustains other women. This means that unless systemic change in gender diversity in leadership is achieved, there is limited chance of the disparity improving on its own. In addition to the evident need for substantive gender equality, there are a number of advantages in promoting women in leadership: Women are in fact … Continue reading WAL Blurb