Female Representation

[Icenii]

I work in a male dominated department and industry and have been asked whether I would like to input into increasing female representation.

They sent me a report conducted by an independent body, which the stats are being quoted from. However, I see no question or breakdown on sex. They are quoting figures for female representation based on gender identity. Really not sure how to tackle this other than stating it's useful information that we need to help ensure representation for all under represented groups, but we should also be seeing a breakdown by sex to tackle this specific issue? Any advise? This isn't a small sector.

I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing.

I think at this stage it's important that they do get women giving their input, so I'd suggest you hold fire but then ensure that the issues you identify or discuss are those truly relating to female representation. The barriers are almost certainly sex based not 'gender' based. Talk in terms of sex, and then if challenged you can say you don't see how gender identity is relevant to the issue in hand.

Women excluding themselves from having influence doesn't help anyone, I fear.

I think you can borrow the authority of the Equality Act. It's the relevant piece of legislation, so it's not a partisan act to quote it. I suppose you can mention that if your company is also going to start collecting data about female representation, you should be mindful of the protected characteristics as laid out in law, to ensure robustness. Appeal to their pedantry.