EUROPEAN COMMISSION: WOMAN CIVIL SERVANTS TAKE SMALL BUT STEADY STEPS FORWARD.

This is the first year that the European Commission has noticed a significant rise in the number of women at the very top of its hierarchy, Commission officials announced on February 8. In 2001, the number of women Directors-General and Deputy Directors-General rose from zero to four. The total number of A grades - the most senior officials - increased to 21.8% at the end of 2001, from 20.6% a year before. Officials say the rise "is not huge but it is steady" and that the equality drive "is a long term commitment". The proportion of woman A grades has crept up from just 14% in 1995, when the Commission set itself the task of increasing it.Commission officials give several reasons for the continuing shortage of women in top jobs. A long tradition of a male dominated hierarchy means that there is a relatively small supply of women working their way up from lower ranks. The inflexibility of Commission working practices, long hours and a shortage of creches and schools, make it difficult for many women to "reconcile their private life" with a management career. Commission officials say a number of steps are being taken to improve the situation. It is being made easier to recruit temporary staff to fill in for maternity breaks, and a Communication on tele-working is promised "soon". Meanwhile, more school and creche places are being created, in co-operation with the Brussels local authorities. So far, says a spokesman, selection of women from the...