Press Statement from Frances Fitzgerald MEP
Wednesday 13th July 2022
Inequalities persist for Irish women in business- Fitzgerald
Dublin MEP Frances Fitzgerald today (Wednesday), expressed concern at the results of a new report by LinkedIn as part of the 2022 World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report which show that the percentage of women in leadership positions significantly decreases as women advance through their careers.
Speaking in Dublin, MEP Fitzgerald praised LinkedIn for carrying out this research and said, “It is disappointing to see how much progress still needs to be made to create a level playing field for women in business in Ireland and across Europe. These are worrying figures and show that while we have good gender balance when women enter the workplace and at managerial level, significant barriers remain that prevents women from advancing to the top of their careers”.
At entry level, women account for 46% of positions in Ireland. At managerial level, this drops slightly to 42%, yet at executive level (C-suite roles), the drop off is dramatic, with women accounting for just 24% of positions.
MEP Fitzgerald continued, “I am very optimistic that the new EU Directive on Women on Boards will have a positive effect in addressing these issues. It is the missing tool to enforce change. Under the new Directive, publicly listed companies will have to have 40% of women on their boards, ensuring that women’s presence in leadership positions is no longer an option in the EU, but a uniform reality.
“Increased gender equality in every sector of our society, including in business, is good for our economies and society as a whole,” she concluded.
Kate O'Sullivan, Senior Director of EU Public Policy at LinkedIn, said: “New LinkedIn data included in the 2022 World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report highlights how gender diversity in the workplace is a global issue. Efforts to address the imbalance stagnated during the pandemic, as traditional gender roles returned, and female-dominated sectors were hit hardest by restrictions. In Ireland, we face the same challenges as other countries in ensuring our workplaces are fair and equitable for all. Our data shows there are three key areas where businesses and policymakers can do more to address the gender imbalance: inclusive hiring, internal mobility, and flexibility.”
ENDS
Notes to the editor
Global Gender Gap Report 2022: https://weforum.ent.box.com/s/c40524fmtpknlfrluxpgfrfyglr2dmd3
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