New York: According to a recent survey, women held just 15.6 per cent of Fortune 500 corporate officer positions in 2006, down from 16.4 per cent in 2005. The survey was conducted by Catalyst, an independent non-profit that tracks women's progress in executive offices and boards.

Though the number of companies with three or more women corporate officer had also decreased, the number of women in top-paying jobs rose slightly, climbing to 6.7 per cent from 6.4 per cent in 2005.

At this rate of change, it would take American women 47 years to reach parity with men as corporate officers of Fortune 500 companies, according to a survey.

Women's presence on boards was nearly stagnant; women held 14.6 per cent of Fortune 500 board seats in 2006. No-white women held only 3.1 per cent of director positions and the number of companies with no women directors increased.