The Civil Service has generally been ahead of the private sector in recruiting and promoting women into senior positions, although it has yet to offer full equality. And the most senior women in Whitehall still need to be female chaps.
This part of the Civil Servant website discusses these issues and provide some historical background and interesting detail. You may like to start by reading about:-
or reading three distinct histories
or by reading about
Statistics concerning the employment of women in the Senior Civil Service may be found here.
The IFG have published an excellent report on (senior) Women in Whitehall as well as a detailed statistical history as of 2022.
Useful international data about the employment of women in the public sector may be found in the OECD's annual publication Government at a Glance.
Do you have documents, stories or information which could be added to this website? If so, please do not hesitate to email Martin Stanley.
Other contact information etc. is here.