This paper describes how females are disadvantaged in many professions compared with their male counterparts and suggests some possibilities to ‘even up the odds’. Research relating to female students and academics in universities is used as an illustration of what is generally occurring in the whole professional community. A number of factors affecting high ability females in schools, (which eventually contributes to the disadvantage of females in the professional workforce), are discussed, and a variety of strategies to deal with them, outlined. Lastly, the Breakthrough Programme for high ability girls is described. The major goal of the Breakthrough Programme is to help the participants become aware of what is happening to them, and to become more self-confident and strategic in their approach and actions.
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