Women’s unemployment is rising to a 25-year high but the number of jobless men is falling, according to a new survey.
The Fawcett Society has warned the situation is leading to a 'female unfriendly' labour market and claims the Government’s plans for growth were leaving women behind.
It said that almost two out of three new private sector jobs are going to men.
The Fawcett Society warn that 1.5million women could be out of work by 2018 under current jobs plan
The organisation said that women's unemployment could reach almost 1.5million by 2018 if the government continues with its current job plans.
Unless action is taken, the labour market will be characterised by 'persistent and rising levels' of women’s unemployment, diminishing pay levels for women, and a widening of the gender pay gap, it was warned.
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The study found that almost three times as many women as men have become long-term unemployed in the last two and a half years - 103,000 women compared with 37,000 men.
Women have borne the brunt of cuts to the public sector workforce so far, said the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for gender equality.
Ceri Goddard, the organisation's chief executive, said: 'The labour market is in the midst of enormous change.
'Almost a million jobs are being cut from the public sector, while many of the jobs created by what growth there is in the private sector are low waged and insecure.
'While unemployment has fallen overall, our research shows that the situation for women is bleak.
It warned of a 'female unfriendly' labour market and said two thirds of private sector jobs go to men
Maria Miller, Minister for Women and Equalities, said many women 'still experience barriers'
'Female unemployment has started to rise - and this will continue unless the Government does more than tinker around the edges of this issue.
'The Government’s various plans for growth continue to leave many women behind, with the majority of new jobs being created in the private sector going to men.
'At the same time, those women who do find work in this sector are likely to face lower wages and a wider gender pay gap. This "head-in-the-sand" approach ignores the fact that women are now nearly half the workforce - and has serious consequences.
'If the Government doesn’t address this growing problem, we risk returning to a much more male dominated labour market, with record numbers of women unemployed, those in work typically earning less, and the gap in pay between women and men beginning to grow instead of shrink.
'Not only is this bad for women, it’s hugely damaging for our economy. We are calling on the Government - in particular the Business Secretary - to take immediate action.'
The Fawcett Society recommended the Government introduce a 'Women's Employment Strategy' to improve pay levels and greater job market equality.
Maria Miller, Minister for Women and Equalities, said the Government was focused on the issue.
She was quoted in the Huffington Post as saying: 'The workplace was designed by men, for men, and as we have seen, times have changed, and if we want women to achieve their full potential we need to make sure the workplace is modernised.
'Many women still experience barriers, including lack of female role models, the cost of childcare, lack of workplace flexibility, and a lack of transparency around recruitment for senior positions.'