Evidence library

Rowena Lewis's research report shines a spotlight on women's representation in the voluntary sector. Through her research Rowena set out to demonstrate how well the sector is doing. She unearthed some uncomfortable truths along the way about the inequalities that persist. She argues that in the voluntary sector is best placed to be the forefront of change for women's representation, however to-date it has failed to achieve a level playing field. Key Findings: - Whilst levels of participation are high in the voluntary sector ? 68% of the workforce is female ? women are under-represented in positions of leadership - Voluntary sector women leaders are starkly absent from major charities (those with a turnover of œ10m or above) but evenly represented as leaders of charities of all other sizes - Women are well represented as leaders in the field of law and advocacy, in health and in PTAs and playgroups but are dramatically under-represented amongst charities whose primary purpose is religion or education, and amongst umbrella bodies - Of those women in leadership positions, more are leading as a Chair than as a Chief Executive - Voluntary sector women leaders are less likely to relate to the conventional language of leadership and are instead motivated by a sense of mission - Voluntary sector women leaders are more likely to seek support through informal routes such as peer support and mentoring than to seek out formalised leadership development opportunities