Quoted By:
>This is what I experienced. But when I look at the data, the question of gender equality comes out quite differently in Denmark. Sure, we have a high representation of women in the workforce. Sure, women have held all kinds of positions in Denmark. But if we look at top leaders in business, only 10% are female. Women take 91 percent of the parental leave available – couples can split the time off between them – which results in women losing the competition for employment or promotions (but winning the hearts of their children, which is of course wonderful).
>Men earn 18% more than women in the same jobs, and this is changing so slowly that at the current rate it will take Denmark 534 years to achieve equal pay. If we look at the other end of the spectrum we find that amongst the most vulnerable groups in society – for example, the homeless – 70-80% are male.
>The interesting thing is the gap between the facts and the experienced reality. When women like me in leading positions do not feel the inequality, we tend to forget that something is not working. Looking into the data has reminded me that I have to be aware of helping women on their way up and letting them into my networks.
>“We have to change the culture on parental leave”
>It tells me that I should be promoting women more when I look for talent in politics. And it gives me yet another reason to go back to the most important structural factor that keeps women from top jobs: parental leave. We have to change the culture around this so we get more parity in the time men and women leave their jobs for the important task of taking care of their kids.
>We have to discuss the perception that still exists that men are better leaders and women make better caretakers. One way would be to legally ensure an equal distribution of the rights for parental leave in Denmark. I normally prefer not to legislate on issues so close to people’s private lives, but sometimes you have to consider it.
