Room at the top

Abstract

‘Equal opportunities’ in organizations, if it means nothing else to those who introduce the policy, means ending the sexual division of labour. It means breaking down the barriers that prevent horizontal movement by women into non-traditional jobs, and removing those that confine women to the meanest jobs and prevent their vertical progress to different levels and locations in the hierarchy. It says to women ‘There’s room at the top’. This is the first item on the agenda of positive action in all organizations. It entails opening access to the organization by fair recruitment practices; supplementary training courses for women; a review of procedures for appraisal and promotion; and ultimately an acknowledgment of the abilities and authority women thus develop, as managers, technologists, professionals.