Lidia Adamska and Beata Jarosz, WSE Management Board Members presented the findings of Poland’s first survey on the role of women in the capital market. The survey covered companies listed on the WSE, brokerage houses, banks, pension funds, open-end investment companies as well as other entities operating in the domestic capital market.

- The survey findings show that more women work in the capital market than men. Women employed by the companies listed on the Main List run by the WSE account for 51% of total employment – said Beata Jarosz, WSE Management Board Member. For companies listed on the NewConnect alternative market, the share of women in total employment was 47%. The industry dominated by women is the financial sector – 68% of employees in this sector are women.

Taking into consideration the top executive positions in the companies listed on the WSE Main List, women accounted 18% of total members of governing bodies. On the NewConnect alternative market, the above share was slightly higher – 21%. The share of women in the Management Boards of companies with foreign participation is higher than in domestic companies. However, top management position in the corporate structure is dominated by men, regardless of the industry.

The Warsaw Stock Exchange was also covered by the survey. - In the case of WSE, the survey findings could be recognised as exemplary. Women account for 50% of the total headcount on the stock exchange; two out of four members sitting on the WSE Management Board are women. 48% of the management (directors, heads of teams) are women and 43% of the WSE Supervisory Board (WSE Council) also are women – commented Beata Jarosz.

The WSE stands out against other stock exchanges. On the management boards of such stock exchanges as NYSE-Euronext, Deutsche Boerse, Wiener Boerse, Prague or Athens stock exchange there are no women at all. In the case of other surveyed markets, the percentage share is below 29% (Sofia bourse), and for Nasdaq-OMX it is 15%.

Professor Mirosława Grabowska presented findings of a survey “Women 2009” carried out by CBOS polling centre. In elections, women would rather vote for women, they are in favour of provisions defining parities both for drafting election lists and in the government, government administration as well as in management of major public institutions. Women should be guaranteed have half of the positions there - These are optimistic findings. However, it is sad that only 28% of women replied positively to the question „Would you like to be a member of an organisation/association dealing with women issues?”. 68% of respondents would “rather not” and “certainly not” get involved with activities for women – said Professor Grabowska.

Detailed findings of various surveys on the role and position of women in various spheres of social and economic life will be presented at the Congress on Saturday 20 June. The Congress will be attended by more than 4,000 women from all over Poland. It will be held at the Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw.

More information is available at www.kongreskobiet.pl

For further information:
Marcin Przeszłowski, WSE PR, +48 22 537 7766, +48 605 470 665, marcin.przeszlowski@wse.com.pl
Dariusz Marszałek, WSE PR, +48 22 537 7717, +48 605 969 626, dariusz.marszalek@wse.com.pl