Women in Leadership

Abstract

The study, based on a secondary analysis of international and Hungarian statistical data, provides an overview of the leading positions occupied by women in society and the economy.
Although the number of women in positions of leadership and power is growing, they do not enjoy the same chances as men of reaching leading positions. This difference is not explicable in terms of the different educational levels or economic activities of the two sexes.
The income data show large differences in earnings between groups of leaders, due to the fact that women have a smaller chance of getting into higher ranking positions. A staftdardization of job levels makes the greater portion of income differences between the sexes disappear.
The study also delves into women’s participation in political leadership by looking at the composition of Parliament, the central and local governments. The examination of economic elites also demonstrates that women only reach lower level positions in the hierarchy, while having to pay a high price for their careers.