It’s one of the findings from the annual Gender Equality at Work report by Conrad Liveris released to coincide with International Women’s Day (March 8) this week.
While there are now 12 women leading ASX 200 organisations – up from 11 last year – there are still more ‘Peters’ and ‘Johns’ than there are female executives.
Women aren’t only facing inequality in the board room.
A new report by Council on the Ageing (COTA) shows older women are the most vulnerable to poverty in retirement.
Its survey of over 7,600 older people found lower incomes and a lack of super combined with events such as caring responsibilities, relationship breakdowns and serious illness left many women struggling before – and after – retirement.
Helping women to ‘catch up’ in retirement
They want measures including more “catch up” schemes for people nearing retirement with lower super balances; an extra $1,000 super contribution for women on low incomes; and the removal of the $450 monthly pay threshold on superannuation eligibility.
None of these ideas are new. Organisations have been pushing the Government for years on these issues and little has been done.
But they do listen to the public – especially when they need to win over voters.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is Press for Progress – why not press your local MP and ministers for change? If we – women and men – all make our voices heard, it can happen.
