Few industries have as big a reputation for being a bastion of male-dominance as financial services, but how justified is this perception? Gender diversity initiatives are at the forefront of many organisations' HR policies, yet women are still under-represented, particularly at the senior level.

Does this suggest that banks and other financial services organisations still have a mountain to climb to achieve gender parity and offer equal opportunities for women? Or is the revolution already firmly underway? In this special report, we take an in-depth look at the issues and obstacles women face during their career in financial services, and what initiatives institutions are under-taking to redress the balance.

Special report: Women in Finance:

Can gender diversity drives survive as the financial sector contracts?

Five sectors still struggling to attract female candidates

Innovative strategies to address the gender imbalance

Q&A: Emma Murphy, advisor to the Financial Policy Committee at the Bank of England

Avoiding the mummy track: How to juggle a family with a high-powered financial career