Very few women occupy leadership positions in the world of classical music. In fact, only about six percent of professional classical music orchestras are headed by women. Now, in France, there is an effort to increase the number of women leading orchestras. It is an international competition in Paris called La Maestra. The event gives women conductors a chance to show off their skills. Over 200 women -- from Asia, Europe and the Americas -- are taking part in the competition. The winner will be announced later this month. Laurent Bayle is director of the Paris Philharmonic. He says the winner and those who place highly will get two years of intensive mentoring and other support. Many observers say there is a need for that kind of support. Women head nearly 40 percent of orchestras in Belgium, but only three percent of French orchestras have female conductors. In the United States, only eight percent of orchestra conductors are women.