Mary McAleese Diversity Lecture and Dinner at Queen's Business School

Mary McAleese Diversity Lecture and Dinner at Queen's Business School

Description:

Join us for an engaging lecture by Professor Jill Rubery, University of Manchester, on why we need more egalitarian labour markets to achieve gender equality. Followed by dinner in collaboration with Queen's University Chief Executive Club

Prof Rubery is the Executive Director of the Work and Equalities Institute at Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. She has worked extensively for the European Commission and the International Labour Organisation. She is an elected fellow of the British Academy and an emeritus fellow of Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge.

Abstract:

Progress on gender equality is often measured by trends in gender gaps: as long as the gap on average with men is closing all must be well. Yet for many reasons this approach may provide a distorted picture. Some gaps close as men lose out rather than women gain, while equality should be mainly about levelling up not down. Also, closure through more women moving up the occupational ladder may disguise what is happening for women left behind where conditions may even be deteriorating. Many work in sectors that are vital for society, so the focus should perhaps shift to improving these job conditions, not only on reducing women’s concentration in these jobs. This talk examines the challenges women face in the labour market and finds that the form they take differs according to the type of job they are in. Policies to support all women in their still excessive care responsibilities, such as more affordable childcare, are still very much needed. But we also need to target policies at the different problems encountered by occupational-type and sectors and take action to ensure that, in the pursuit of gender equality, working-class women are not forgotten and left behind.

This in-person event will take place in the Conference Hub at Riddel Hall. Please note this ticket is for lecture and dinner

Host or Publisher Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University