Women in Business study indicates that 33.5% of senior leadership positions in medium-sized companies are currently occupied by women
The Women in Business: Pathways to Parity study, conducted annually by Grant Thornton, showed that, although the participation of women in senior leadership positions has increased, the pace is still slow on a global scale.
In its 20th edition, the report found that women currently occupy 33.5% of senior leadership positions in medium-sized companies. While this represents a significant jump compared to 20 years ago – when the figure was just 19.4% – the growth compared to last year is minimal: 1.1%, according to Grant Thornton.
The study projects that, at the current rate of growth, parity between men and women in senior leadership positions will only be achieved before 2053. The data also reveals that, due to the still low female presence in management positions, mid management (in management, for example), the growth scenario in senior leadership roles is fragile.
“If a CEO leaves her position for any reason, the chances that a woman will replace her are small”, observes Grant Thornton’s Audit partner, lica Martins. The research even highlights that this situation may arise soon, as the drop in the number of female CEOs has been sharp. At the end of 2022, 28% of these positions were held by women. At the end of last year, the number fell to 19%.
The local portrait of the research reveals that Latin America is the region with the highest percentage of senior leadership positions held by women in the world, at 36%.
The study identifies a trend of actions by governments in the region to encourage women at work – with emphasis on the approval in the Brazilian Senate of the Labor Reform in 2023, which contains elements promoting equity and fair remuneration – and the Employment Equity Law. Gender in Argentina.
Still, the research points to evidence that, beneath the surface, these efforts are not leading to an equitable process across all companies, as 12% of companies do not have any senior female leadership, and in 17%, women hold only positions. a high leadership position.
(Credit: Photo by All Bong on Unsplash)
