Almost two thirds of the third sector workforce is female, and yet according to some sources the gender pay gap is even wider in third sector organisations than it is in the public and private sectors. This is particularly surprising and disappointing for a sector that prides itself on its values and has a predominantly female workforce.
Why is there still a pay gap in the third sector, and why are women are not represented proportionately at senior management or CEO level?
Third Sector Women aims to give people the space to meet and talk about issues of pay and equality, and to find out how women in the third sector can be supported to build the career they want. These issues are particularly relevant at the moment given the recent introduction of the 2010 Equality Act and this week’s publication of The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s new report.
In the interests of extending the debate, Third Sector Women is organising a lunch and learn networking session on 14th October 2010 between 12-2pm. At this event, the session will give people the opportunity to meet, talk and think about issues of pay and equality in the sector. To help us think through some of the issues we will hear from Rowena Lewis, formerly of The Fawcett Society and now a Clore Leadership Fellow, and Lucy McLynn from the Partner Employment Department at Bates Wells & Braithwaite. We’re excited to hear from them, and excited to hear from people working in the sector, so please come and share your experiences, both good and bad!
The event is free, thanks to the generosity of our hosts Bates Wells & Braithwaite, so please join us. To book a place please contact kathy@vanillafreelance.co.uk or call 02380404954.
This Sector Women is another innovation from Vanilla Freelance Ltd. Our aim is connect women working at all levels across the third sector with the aim of creating fresh opportunities for professional development that enable women to pursue careers of choice.
