EOC celebrates 30 years of the Sex Discrimination Act

Today is the 30th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act and Equal Pay Act and the Equal Opportunities Commission have released figures to show the progress made in those 30 years.

In 1975, women represented just one third of higher education students. In 2005, girls are outperforming boys at school and represent of 56% of those in higher education.

The number of women entering the workforce has increased by a third since 1975.

In 1975, less than 2% of managers were women. In 2005 one third of managers today are women. The average household income has increased by around £200 since the mid 1970s.

New fathers today spend nearly two hours a day on child related activity, compared to just 15 minutes thirty years ago.

Jenny Watson, Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission said, "Women have made great strides in education and the workplace and as a result their families enjoy a higher standard of living. Many things women take for granted today, from pregnancy rights to taking out a bank loan – were only established through the Sex Discrimination Act.

"However, the achievements women have made in education are still not fully recognised in the workplace. For many women, sex equality is a thin veneer which vanishes as soon as they take on caring responsibilities. We need to make more of women's talents and skills and prevent them from being channelled into low paid, part-time work below their potential. Women working part-time earn nearly 40% less than full-time men, a pay penalty that has hardly changed in 30 years."

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