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…..
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•
•
•
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
5.07%
5.73%
8.65%
34.07%
42.0%
46.1%
NZAX
NZDX
NZSX
Crown Companies
State Sector
Labour Force
Employment – Women’s Participation
14.81%
16.81%
19.19%
22.2%
25.76%
29.2%
Editors
Top Legal Partnerships
Universities
National Secretaries
– Unions
Judges
NZ Police
Politics, health and education –
Women’s Participation
17.8%
29.0%
33.0%
35.0%
43.38%
52.0%
Mayors
Local Government
Members of Parliament
Cabinet
DHBs
School BOTs
Māori, Public Service, Science and
Sport – Women’s Participation
7.39%
Royal Society Fellows
23.0%
Public Service Chief Execs
27.0%
National Sports Boards
27.47%
42.0%
59.2%
Māori Managers
Māori Board Members
State Sector
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.
www.neon.org.nz