Network, the organisation for women in business, has been actively trying to improve the sisters' lot. One successful businesswoman was reminiscing to the

Margin yesterday about how she started. She got a leading firm of accountants to draw up a five year plan for her business and went to see her bank manager.

Following a detailed presentation, the manager sat back and asked her two questions: 1) What does your father think about it? 2) Are you not afraid of being discriminated against because you are a woman?