Abstract:

This paper will report initial findings into a research project carried out by members of the International Statistical Institute's (ISI) Committee on Women in Statistics (CWS) on the gender imbalance in statistics, what impedes women's progress and how to address the problems. Initial analysis of data on ISI membership shows that women are under represented as elected members (less than 20%) and that membership of different sections varies widely, with women being well represented in Education, but not, for example, in Industrial Statistics. There are few women members outside Europe or North America. The project identifies the obstructions to womens progress in their chosen careers and the steps that could be taken to alleviate these problems. Recognising that similar issues are faced by women in other STEMM subjects, the report will identify good practice and successful initiatives in other disciplines that the statistics community can adopt.

Keywords:

Women, Statistics, Career developemnt.