The Institute of Leadership and Management produce a report in February 2011 comparing gender and ambition at work http://www.i-l-m.com/research-and-comment/9506.aspx
The results from a from 3000 managers in 2010 show that there are still stark differences between the perceptions of female and male managers in their career aspirations, confidence and the nature of barriers to their career development. 42% of the female managers surveyed had taken a career break compared to only 2% of male managers who had taken a career break to care for children.
Female managers are more likely to defer having children, 41% were childless compared to 28% of men. Coaching can close this gap by supporting individuals through the transition of a career break and help give greater career clarity to women and increase their self esteem through reflection of the skills and attributes they do poses.
One challenge is how we find the room and resource to do this in a recession and when the majority of budget holders are men who are not consciously aware of these barriers.