Theresa May is the only MP from the Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition to be offered one of the top jobs in government, becoming home secretary.
Ceri Goddard, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, characterised the make-up of the new cabinet as if "feminism never happened" and expressed concern that the allocation of key roles might set a tone of marginalisation.
"It seems the default response of politics in political crisis is to revert to type – a men-only zone," she said.
Ms Goddard proclaimed the appointments as "bad for women", adding it revealed flaws in UK democracy that are exacerbated by the lack of female balance at the top in British politics.
The Fawcett Society also campaigns to promote equality with regards to pay, pensions and poverty.
By Cameron Thomson
