Sex and power in New Zealand: women’s progress

NZ Federation of Graduate Women - 20 May 08

Dr Judy McGregor

EEO Commissioner

The Census 2008 report

• Third report which has become an international benchmark

• About 12,000 copies over two years (copies and web)

• Used by the Government and two shadow reports to CEDAW

• Allows for “myth-busting” with facts and objective data

The good news…..

• Labour market participation

• Government statutory bodies

• High in international ratings

• High profile women in top constitutional jobs

• Impetus from CEDAW

The not so good news….

Women’s status and representation in:• Senior management • Local government (not at Commonwealth

target)• Police (3 in top 50 by rank)• Sport management (no change in boards

since 1994)• Law partners (slippage to 16.81%)• Science (slippage to 7.39%)

Recent movement

Up …..

• Slow upwards trend in universities

• National politics as a result of MMP

• Latest Cabinet line-up

Stalled……

• Judiciary

• Media and public relations

Dismal news

• Women in corporate boardrooms

• 60 of top 100 (NZSX) without women

• Figures for NZDX and NZAX even more dismal

• Only 3 of top 100 have gender equity in boardrooms

Governance – Women’s Participation

5.73%

8.65%

34.07%

42.0%

46.1%

5.07%NZAX

NZDX

NZSX

Crown Companies

State Sector

Labour Force

Employment – Women’s Participation

16.81%

19.19%

22.2%

25.76%

29.2%

Editors

Top Legal Partnerships

Universities

National Secretaries – Unions

Judges

NZ Police

14.81%

Politics, health and education – Women’s Participation

29.0%

33.0%

35.0%

43.38%

52.0%

Mayors

Local Government

Members of Parliament

Cabinet

DHBs

School BOTs

17.8%

Māori, Public Service, Science and Sport – Women’s Participation

23.0%

27.0%

27.47%

42.0%

59.2%

Royal Society Fellows

Public Service Chief Execs

National Sports Boards

Māori Managers

Māori Board Members

State Sector

7.39%

Trailblazers

Anne Urlwin

Only woman currently who has three Crown company directorships.

Salute to Trailblazers

From left:

Helen Kelly (CTU President), Carmel Fisher (Fisher Funds), Anne Urlwin (Landcare Research) and Frana Cardno (Mayor, Southland District)

Agenda for Change

• Urgent action required if NZ to remain a world leader

• The Government, corporate boards, and a number of public agencies urged to take action.

• Role for NGOs and women’s groups who are challenged to commit to women’s leadership.

Status of women in Universities on page 71

Nationwide approach

• New Zealand universities are trialling a nationwide women and leadership programme (NZWIL)

• 20 women selected by 8 universities meet twice a year in Wellington (stylish hotel!)

• Residential, week long course aimed at building female academic leadership

Purpose of programme

• Enhance women’s leadership within NZ’s universities

• Increase research management and funding strategies

• Build knowledge of governance and management relevant to higher education

• Learn with a diverse group of women (fun!)

Content of Programme

NZWIL includes sessions on:

• The macro higher education environment

• Research development

• Leadership within universities

• Personal career development and promotion

• Mentoring and networking

Outcomes to date-general

• Very positive evaluations from participants and from universities

• Networks established by alumni-across cities, and by subject areas

• Research group has formed• Alumni development underway• Participants have formed new contacts in

politics, business and public service

Learnings to be pursued on return

• “ To take pride in being a woman in academia and to encourage many more women into this role. I intend to explore the barriers preventing women for applying for positions in tertiary institutions and to try to find ways of removing these”…..

More learnings….

• “ Develop professional development for my assistant heads of school….

• “To mentor research colleagues- in a way that is rigorous but women-friendly…

• “I am determined to move into positions which give me access to university-wide, decision-making…..

And more learnings….

• “ I now have a wonderful national (and international) support network to draw on…

• “I have the opportunity to work out what is important for me and what I need to do ….

• “Two lessons are the value of a women’s network and how to transform the academic work environment for women…

My observations

• Participants much more aware of tertiary environment at a strategic level

• Course provides time for women to work through their own ambitions

• Provides cross-sectoral networking of outstanding women

• Growth of individual and collective confidence

Ingredients for success

• High calibre international and national speakers-top programme

• NZVCC support and political interest

• Strength of alumni voice and networks

• Strong joint organising committee

• Nationwide approach removes institutional competition

New Zealand experiment

• Forty senior academic women graduated in 2007

• Universities now have a pool of potential leadership talent with higher confidence

• Responsibility lies with institutions to deliver on the promise of female potential.

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