The commission wants to remove barriers in the workplace

The Equal Opportunities Commission said that only the most determined women were overcoming political, industrial and business barriers to success.

EOC Scotland has called for more flexible and part-time work to fit in with family commitments.

It found only 22% of councillors, 10% of senior police officers and 18% of secondary heads were women.

The figures came in a survey for the commission entitled Sex and Power: Who Runs Scotland?

It is in everyone's interests for politicians and employers to do their part to remove age-old barriers Rowena Arshad EOC Scotland

The body's Scotland commissioner Rowena Arshad said: "Girls outperform boys at school and women account for nearly half of the Scottish workforce, yet only a few have broken through the glass ceiling and making it to the top is far too often the result of exceptional drive and strength having to overcome significant barriers."

She said it was not just an issue of fairness but of political and commercial sense.

Ms Arshad added: "Scotland is losing out on valuable talent, and it is in everyone's interests for politicians and employers to do their part to remove age-old barriers, transform the workplace and politics and deliver real and lasting change. A new approach is needed."

The EOC said the issue was about empowering working mothers and fathers to have a real choice about the time they spend with their families.

It also urged legislation to make employers in the private sector required to promote sex equality and eliminate sex discrimination.

In 2007 public sector employers will have to ensure equality in employment practices like recruitment, promotion and training as well as in the delivery of services.