The Talking Point: Banging on the Ceiling

When the women of Australia started their march towards equal rights almost half a century ago, they envisaged broad-ranging changes. Today, women make up slightly less than half the total workforce. But bastions of male privilege remain – none more so than the company boardroom. Women account for less than one in 10 private company directorships. And while women earn 16% less than men in overall terms, in the financial sector they earn up to 32% less. In this Talking Point, we look at the glass ceilings and quotas that continue to impede women inside the boardroom and out.

Presenters

Narelle Hooper

Narelle Hooper is the editor of the Australian Financial Review’s BOSS magazine. She has reported on Australian business and financial markets for nearly 20 years across print and electronic media.

Helen Szoke

Dr Helen Szoke has been the commissioner and chair of the board of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission since 2009.

Carol Schwarz

Carol Schwarz AM is a visionary leader who works with innovative people, organisations, systems, leaders and communities to achieve transformative outcomes.

Margaret Alston

Professor Margaret Alston AO is Professor of Social Work and Head of Department at Monash University.