Women are making progress in business leadership, but gender gaps persist

A new report from the Asian Development Bank has found that more Pacific women are taking on leadership roles in business, but they still face discrimination.

this ReportA study published in the second edition of the Leadership Matters series found that the average proportion of female directors in the Pacific region increased by 5%, from 21% in 2021 to 26% in 2024.

The Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa and Tuvalu are among the countries in the region with a high percentage of female directors and CEOs, but Fiji and Papua New Guinea have not yet reached the regional average.

Report author Sarah Boxall told RNZ Pacific Waves higher education was key.

“We’re seeing Pacific women becoming more educated, their university completion rates are increasing, and we know from surveys that Pacific women are very ambitious.”

The survey of nearly 300 female business leaders found that companies value the female workforce and leadership.

“We’re seeing (businesses) setting targets of 30 per cent female representation and they’re putting policies in place to support women in their organisations; that could be flexible working arrangements, help with transport and childcare issues.

“We are starting to see attitudes change about what women are capable of. I think that’s all contributing to the advancement of women in leadership in the Pacific.”

The Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative surveyed 285 women business leaders in 14 Pacific developing member countries.

The survey found that nearly half of respondents said they had experienced gender bias and discrimination in the workplace.

Boxall said domestic chores also prevented Pacific women from excelling in the workplace.

“Nearly 60% of the women we surveyed said that despite their increased leadership roles at work, they still have the same level of family responsibilities,” she said.

She said global research showed that having more diverse and balanced leadership meant companies were ultimately more profitable and efficient.

“We’ve heard from business leaders across the Pacific that this is their experience as well. They know their companies perform better when they have balanced leadership.”

“When it comes to economic development in the Pacific, what really matters is that all of our organisations and companies are able to bring the best out of us – and we know having more women in leadership roles helps.”

Source: RNZ