Female skills 'can help economic recovery'

Women should have access to programmes designed to boost skills in order to help the UK economy to overcome recession, according to a new report.

The Fawcett Society has put together a study which suggests that the downturn was "man-made" and highlights the need for women to take part in the economic recovery.

A five-point plan to ensure working women are not disadvantaged by the recession not only calls for greater access to training and management skills courses, but to promote equal rights for both genders.

Fast-tracking women to top corporate positions and utilising flexible working to deal with fluctuations in business activity were also recommended.

"This recession must not be used as an excuse to send women back to the kitchen," said director of the Fawcett Society and author of the Are Women Bearing the Burden of the Recession? report.

"The enormous strides that women have made in workplace equality must be protected during tough times and we cannot afford to lose women's vital skills as we seek a route to recovery."