LibLink…Jo Swinson: Only women can help us now

Jo Swinson has been writing for Management Today about the importance of ensuring that businesses ensure that women have equal opportunity to reach senior and board levels of companies.

Women are vital to Britain’s economic recovery and we need to ensure we are making full use of their talents. That’s why the government is focused on removing the barriers that prevent women from getting ahead and achieving their full potential. We simply can’t afford to lose out on the talents and skills of over half the population.

She acknowledged progress on this but said that there was more to be done, outlining two key aspects of government policy that she is responsible for:

If we want to maintain this progress, not only within large companies but across the economy as a whole, we need to take full advantage of all the skills and talents women have to offer by making sure we have modern, flexible workplaces that allow us to do so. This is why we’re introducing a new system of shared parental leave which will allow couples to choose how they share care for their child in the first year after birth.

The new system will shatter the perception that it is mainly a woman’s role to stay at home and look after the child. It will also allow women to choose to return to work earlier if they wish, reducing the impact of pregnancy on women’s careers.

The government is also extending the right to request flexible working to all employees. We want to remove the cultural assumption that flexible working only benefits parents and carers, and give everyone the chance to better balance work and their personal life. This will help to reduce discrimination against parents who need more flexible arrangements.

She concluded by pointing readers to the Government’s response to the recent Women’s Business Council report which outlines measures to broaden girls’ aspirations as they are growing up and to support women throughout their careers.

You can read the whole article here.

* Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary in print, on air or online.

Read more by or more about , , or .
This entry was posted in LibLink.
Advert

5 Comments

  • I’d like to offer a slight topical amendment to Jo Swinson’s welcome words:

    “Women are vital to >>the Liberal Democrats’ political<< recovery and we need to ensure we are making full use of their talents. "

  • Caron Lindsay Caron Lindsay 2nd Jul '13 - 11:55pm

    Indeed.

  • I agree with this but can someone please tell Lib Dem politicians to stop using the phrase “the right to request” something when they mean the right to see such a request accepted.

    The other parties already adequately serve those who want to hear politician-speak from their elected representatives.

  • David Evans 3rd Jul '13 - 2:51pm

    Only women? Guess I should just go down to the pub and drink myself senseless again.

  • Helen Dudden 5th Jul '13 - 8:52am

    It is not only gender that anyone should be employed and given a position. How, about merit for the job?

    I think men tend to fear a woman who has the intelligence to get to the top of her profession. In fact ,there is little to fear, I think most women like the chance to shine in what they do best.

    How about Nick Cl egg’s partner, is she not a top lawyer in her field?

    It was many years ago , that education for a woman was considered to be dangerous, as her husband was no longer in control.

    Controlling is not what maintains any situation or relationship, I hope that I am regarded with respect, for what I do, rather than the fact of being a woman.

    It would be a very good idea to see more women in the higher positions, if in business or politics.

Post a Comment

Lib Dem Voice welcomes comments from everyone but we ask you to be polite, to be on topic and to be who you say you are. You can read our comments policy in full here. Please respect it and all readers of the site.

To have your photo next to your comment please signup your email address with Gravatar.

Your email is never published. Required fields are marked *

*
*
Please complete the name of this site, Liberal Democrat ...?

Advert

Recent Comments

  • Peter Martin
    @ Simon, Interesting to know you had a similar background. Just as an addition to my previous personal comment: I didn't feel socially awkward until someh...
  • Craig Levene
    Poverty should never be a barrier to academic achievement. All to often the progressive left has failed to acknowledge that family breakdown as one of the bigge...
  • David Evans
    Brenda's point is well made. The welfare system is thoroughly broken by trying to put a monetary value that will "put right" every perceived or even perceivabl...
  • Simon R
    @Peter; My experience at school was somewhat similar to yours in terms of not being able to afford things that were normal to many other kids - and that also le...
  • Jenny Barnes
    "Labour’s problem, as a {Tory-lite} party is perhaps existential since history seems to be showing the the {neo-liberal}project is doomed to failure." Fixed ...