WASHINGTON (AP) — Women in the federal workforce continue to face more obstacles than men in reaching top positions and salaries despite making strides over the years, according to a government report.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said a major challenge hindering advancement was the lack of flexibility for women raising young children. The report says agencies should expand job-sharing and telework policies, offer different start and end times for workers and create satellite work centers that would reduce commutes.

The report also identified a lack of mentoring and training as key factors limiting many women who want to reach higher levels and management posts. Women are less likely to be groomed for management positions because they don't have mentoring relationships with officials already in those posts, the report found.