Female business leadership is growing in the Pacific, but gender gaps remain significant – PSDI

(Sydney, Australia) – The representation of women in business leadership in the Pacific is steadily increasing, but persistent barriers are preventing the desired rate of progress, A new report It was released today by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI).

Leadership Matters 2024: A benchmark for women in business leadership in the Pacific Expanded baseline established in 2021 Leadership is crucial The report tracks progress in women’s representation as board directors, board chairs, board vice chairs and chief executive officers in 14 Pacific countries.

“new Leadership is crucial The report finds that women’s representation in business leadership has generally increased in the Pacific since 2021 and continues to outpace the global average,” said Sarah Boxall, report author and Women’s Economic Empowerment Specialist at the Department of Pacific Islands Development. “This is a promising trend with business cultures in the region becoming more inclusive and diverse, driven by a variety of organizational policies, greater family and community support for women’s leadership ambitions, and a cadre of talented and ambitious women who are rising through the ranks and supporting others to do the same.”

The report shows that the average proportion of female directors in the Pacific region will increase from 21% in 2021 to 26% in 2024, slightly higher than the global average of 23% in 2023. During the same period, the average proportion of female chief executive officers (CEOs) in the Pacific region increased from 13% to 20%, far higher than the global average of 6%.

The Cook Islands, Kiribati, Samoa and Tuvalu have a higher proportion of female directors and CEOs than most countries in the region, while Fiji and Papua New Guinea are the only two countries in the region that do not meet or exceed the regional average on any indicator.

“A variety of global and local influences and social norms continue to shape Pacific women’s leadership aspirations and opportunities, while entrenched gender roles, particularly around care responsibilities, remain a significant challenge,” said Ms Boxall. “While we are pleased with the improvements in this latest report, much of the progress since 2021 has been limited and uneven across countries, sectors and organisation types.”

“We must also recognise the persistent gender disparities these figures reveal and continue to work towards equal representation in global and Pacific leadership.”

Despite progress, men still hold three-quarters of board positions and four-fifths of CEO positions. Meanwhile, almost a quarter (24%) of boards still have no women directors, and progress has been noticeably slower in senior board positions, with only 12% of board chair positions and 18% of deputy board chair positions held by women.

The report is based on data from 397 organizations in ADB’s 14 Pacific developing member countries (DMCs), as well as insights from more than 350 Pacific business leaders gathered through surveys and in-depth interviews.

PSDI The project is a technical assistance project of ADB in partnership with the governments of Australia and New Zealand. The project supports 14 of ADB’s Pacific developing member countries in improving their business environment and achieving inclusive, private sector-led economic growth, including through reforms aimed at women’s economic empowerment.

related