The final report of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has said that sex equality is still generations away, and calls for urgent action to close the gap within ten years.

The report, Completing the Revolution, which is the EOC’s final report before it is absorbed into the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights on 1 October, sets out a comprehensive measure of gender equality in Britain. As well as looking at pay and power, the report also examines the support for families and access to public services, justice and safety.

The EOC has identified 22 leading indicators that measure the state of the nation in terms of gender equality, and says that, despite some advances, the indicators show worrying gender gaps across all areas of life, and at the current rate of progress change will be painfully slow. For example, the "power gap" for women in Parliament will take almost 200 years to close and it will take up to 65 years to have a more equitable balance of women at the top of FTSE 100 companies. The report adds that the "pensions gap" will take 45 years to equalise, with retired women’s income is currently 40 per cent less than men's.

The "part-time pay gap" will take 25 years to close and the "full time pay gap" 20 years. Women working part-time earn 38 per cent less per hour than men working full time. Full time female employees earn 17 per cent less per hour than men.

The report finds that the "safety gap" for women is getting worse, as they’re five times as likely as men to feel unsafe walking alone in their area after dark.  Meanwhile, young men are almost twice as likely as young women - 80 per cent more - to be victims of violent crime, and it could take up to 20 years for rates to drop to levels comparable with women's, while the “health gap” means men aged 16-44 are almost half, 47 per cent, as likely as women to consult their GP, which can result in later diagnosis.

The publication of today’s report coincides with the launch of the EOC's 'Gender Agenda' campaign, which highlights the work left to do on the eve of the transfer to the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

Jenny Watson, the chair of the EOC, said: “These startling indicators suggest that the reality of far too many men’s and women’s lives is out of step with their aspirations. We're living in the midst of an unfinished social revolution. Today, most women work, many men no longer define themselves as breadwinners and both sexes often struggle to find the time they need to care for others in their lives.

"Despite the many advances over recent years, Britain's institutions have not caught up with these changes. Inequality is affecting every part of our lives, from women who fear for their safety at night to the many men who find it hard to get a GP's appointment, affecting their long term health. Failure to act will have consequences for the social and financial health of countless individuals, as well as the nation as a whole. A country that channels women into low paid work, fails to adequately support families and forces people who want to work flexibly to trade down in jobs pays a high price in terms of child poverty, family breakdown and low productivity. This is a challenge that Gordon Brown’s new government urgently needs to address.

"At the current pace of change, it will take generations for the unfinished revolution to be completed and for equality for women and men to be achieved. Britain can not wait this long. That's why the EOC is today launching a campaign for concrete change in five key areas for women and men over the next ten years, transforming our workplaces, services and communities.”

Commenting on the report, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, Jo Swinson MP said: “This report makes for worrying reading.

“Despite 30 years of equalities legislation, there remains a shocking income gap between men and women. There is a real need for improved childcare and better flexible working to allow more parents to get into work.

“We must also have joined-up thinking across Government in order to tackle crimes like rape and sexual assault.

“It is clear that urgent action must be taken to close the gender gap and ensure equality for all.”