Wirth, L Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling: Women in Management. Geneva: International Labour Office. Despite significant progress over recent decades, women are still concentrated in the most precarious forms of work throughout the world.Despite significant progress over recent decades, women are still concentrated in the most precarious forms of work throughout the world. Glass ceiling effect – invisible artificial barriers that block women from senior executive jobs.Glass ceiling effect – invisible artificial barriers that block women from senior executive jobs. Sticky floor – forces that keep women stuck at the bottom of the economic pyramid.Sticky floor – forces that keep women stuck at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

The higher one goes, the larger the gender gap : Women hold only 1-3% of top executive jobs in the largest worldwide corporations.Women hold only 1-3% of top executive jobs in the largest worldwide corporations. Only 8 countries have a woman head of state.Only 8 countries have a woman head of state. Only 13.4% of the worlds parlimentarians are women.Only 13.4% of the worlds parlimentarians are women. Only 1% od trade union leaders are women.Only 1% od trade union leaders are women.

Why? Data shows that women have the qualifications and work experience to take on high level responsibilities.Data shows that women have the qualifications and work experience to take on high level responsibilities. Stumbling blocks can often be traced back to the challenges faced when trying to reconcile work and family.Stumbling blocks can often be traced back to the challenges faced when trying to reconcile work and family. This results in persistent occupational segregation:This results in persistent occupational segregation: mens jobs and womens jobs. mens jobs and womens jobs.

Solutions One way in which women are solving these problems is by running theor own businesses worldwide.One way in which women are solving these problems is by running theor own businesses worldwide. The United States National Foundation for Women Business Owners indicates that firms owned by women around the world can account for almost a third of businesses in the formal sector.The United States National Foundation for Women Business Owners indicates that firms owned by women around the world can account for almost a third of businesses in the formal sector. Supporting women to gain more economic power through running their own business and employing others may well be a key strategy for reducing gender inequalities in the 21 st century.Supporting women to gain more economic power through running their own business and employing others may well be a key strategy for reducing gender inequalities in the 21 st century.