Yesterday, the Equaliy and Human Rights Comission published its first survey on women in positions of power and influence. The Sex and Power report reveals women hold just 11 per cent of FTSE 100 directorships and only 19.3 per cent of the positions in Parliament.

This year, there are fewer women holding top posts in 12 of the 25 categories for which figures are available - including MPs and cabinet members, health service and local authority chief executives, senior police officers and judges and heads of professional bodies. In another five categories, the number of women remains unchanged since 2007’s index - so there are the same number of female MEPs, top media bosses, directors of leading museums and galleries, chairs of national arts companies and holders of senior ranks in the armed forces. Women’s representation has increased in just eight areas including the House of Lords, FTSE 100 company directors, local authority council leaders and university vice-chancellors.

Interesting article in yesterday's Observer about masculinity, arguing that men are 'depressed, repressed and objectified' following reports that their libidos are waning, they are becoming more obsessed with their outward appearance and they are now considered non-essential to parenting. However, it follows an article in the Guardian last month that notes a backlash against feminism commenting that 'the sex industry is booming, the rape conviction rate is plummeting, women's bodies are picked over in the media, abortion rights are under serious threat and top business leaders say they don't want to employ women.'

So who's having a worse time - men or women? It shouldn't be a competition, but how do you react to stories like these?

Harriet Harman's proposals for equality legislation that were unveiled last week were greeted with predictable over-reaction. A letter to London's Metro said, 'The new discrimination laws will make young, white, healthy, Christian males virtually unemployable.' Another more measured response claimed that 'Only a meritocracy engenders mutal respect and only organisations that recognise merit in a colour- and gender-blind fashion thrive.'

A new member of the royal family was born on 17th December – James, the son of Edward and Sophie, who will also be known as Viscount Severn. His birth may not have registered much on your consciousness, but it has caused a rearrangement in the line of succession to the throne. His older sister Louise, and all the royals below her, have been bumped down one place because of male primogeniture that means that male royal heirs take preference over their female siblings.