Week 5: Women and SET – some solutions

According to the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET, major barriers to the progress of women in their chosen field include:

• the absence of family-friendly practices during family formation phase

• slow take up of work–life balance policies

• lack of affordable childcare

• pay gap

• lack of transparency in pay and promotion

• short-term contracts

• SET is less flexible than non-SET

• attitude, culture and practice of the workplace

• intangible cultural factors slowing progression

• few role models and mentors.

Two complimentary approaches to tackle these are proposed: legislation outlawing discrimination, and education on the economic case for diversity.

« Week 4: Employers’ diversity policies

Week 5: Women and SET – the legal framework »