Women’s rights advocate Mariella Frostrup has voiced concern that former President Donald Trump’s elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies marks a significant setback for gender equality in the workplace. She warned that dismantling these programs could not only reverse progress in the United States but also negatively affect global economic growth. Speaking to the PA news agency, Frostrup, who co-founded the Women in Work Summit, emphasized that such actions risk diminishing America’s international influence and economic strength over time. “It’s a major backward step and slowly erodes their position as a leader,” she said, expressing disappointment that the U.S. no longer aligns with its image as a land of opportunity. n nFrostrup acknowledged the possibility of similar trends emerging in the UK but remained hopeful that current challenges are temporary. The annual Women in Work report shows that while 121 of Britain’s largest 400 companies now meet gender equality benchmarks—up 19 percent from the previous year—leadership representation remains skewed. Nine out of ten departing male CEOs are replaced by other men, and female executives are equally likely to be succeeded by men. LinkedIn data reveals that 75 percent of UK firms have fewer women in leadership roles than in their overall workforce, with career progression stalling most significantly between ages 30 and 50, often due to caregiving responsibilities. n nThe report identifies ten companies as “trailblazers” for achieving gender parity on executive boards, pay gaps under 1 percent, and transparent parental leave policies—more than double last year’s count. Frostrup stressed that true change requires transforming organizational culture, not just placing women in top roles. She also highlighted the need for better support for women returning to work after breaks due to motherhood or menopause, advocating for fair pay and meaningful employment opportunities. “Just having a woman at the top is not what makes the difference,” she noted. “It’s changing the culture all the way through.”
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Warning that Trump scrapping diversity orders could hurt global economic growth
Women ‘s campaigner Mariella Frostrup has cautioned that Donald Trump’s decision to abolish diversity policies represents a “major backward step” for workplace gender equality. n nThe broadcaster warned that the US president ‘s executive orders, aimed at ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes, risk “dragging everybody backwards” and could undermine recent advancements in gender equality. n nFrostrup further suggested these actions threaten to impede economic growth both in the US and globally. n nThe journalist and TV presenter, who co-founded the Women in Work Summit, told the PA news agency: “It’s a major backward step and slowly erodes their position as a leader. n n“I always imagined America to be the land of the free and the brave and where possibility was there for anyone who worked hard enough. n n“I think none of those things are proving to be true about America right now.” n nShe said by rolling back these initiatives, the US will start “slipping backwards in terms of their voice in the world and their economic power”. n n“It won’t happen overnight. But I think these are policies that drag everybody backwards,” she cautioned. n nMs Frostrup said firms in the UK may follow suit, but added she was “optimistic that this is just turbulence and that we’re heading in the right direction”. n nHer comments came as the Women in Work annual report on gender equality revealed that despite progress in companies overall meeting benchmarks, nine out of 10 male chief executives are replaced by men. n nWhen a female chief executive stands down, she is just as likely to be replaced by a man as another woman, it found. n nThere has been a recent flurry of female bosses quitting from top listed companies and being replaced by men, such as Dame Emma Walmsley from drug firm GSK and Diageo’s Debra Crew. n nData from professional networking site LinkedIn shows that three-quarters of UK companies have a lower proportion of women in leadership than in their overall workforce. n nThe findings show women fall behind at every stage of their career, with progression stalling the most between ages 30 and 50 when caregiving responsibilities peak. n nMs Frostrup, who was appointed the Government’s menopause employment ambassador last year, told PA: “There are a lot of women out there who’ve stepped back because they’ve had children, or indeed because they’ve found menopause symptoms too hard to deal with.” n nShe said they need support to help them back into the workplace “in proper jobs with proper pay”. n nThe Women in Work report reveals the number of Britain’s largest 400 companies meeting gender equality benchmarks has jumped by nearly a fifth (19 per cent) over the past year. n nThe report found 121 companies are meeting benchmarks across 24 sectors, covering female representation on company boards (above 33 per cent), gender pay gap (mean or median hourly pay gap under 15 per cent) and transparent parental leave policies. n nTen of these firms have earned their place on the “trailblazers” list with equal executive boards, pay gaps under 1 per cent and transparent parental policies. n nThis is more than double the number that achieved this status last year. n nMs Frostrup said “I’ve got confidence and assurance that things are going in the right direction and will continue to move in that direction, because every single area of economic endeavour appears to be now understanding that it’s sound business sense to have inclusive and diverse workforces.” n nShe added: “Just having a woman at the top is not what makes the difference. It’s changing the culture all the way through.”