Women’s Representations of Boards of companies on the increase but the number of ‎women Chair of the Board still low

A report by Deloitte and Touch on women’s representation on executive boards of ‎companies in the world indicated that despite the constant increase in women’s ‎representation in executive boards, the number of women Chair of the Board remain ‎low internationally, with the figure for the former averaging 12% and the latter 4%. ‎Highlighting efforts of some 49 countries to increase women quota in managerial ‎positions, the report showed that European countries are still leading in ‎gender representation within the boards of directors, ‎with Norway, France, Sweden and Italy topping the list. As for the Americas and Asian ‎Pacific regions, they have experienced some remarkable progress to this effect.‎

In this respect, the partner officer in charge of communication and talents at Deloitte ‎Middle East, Rana Ghandoor Salhab noted that international data shows significant ‎differences between countries. For example, according to Salhab, ‎Scandinavian countries boast successful policies that facilitate the work of women ‎members of boards of directors, contrary to the Asian Pacific countries which are ‎slow in implementing similar policies, or the Middle East countries which still largely lag ‎behind. Salhab went on to say, “Obviously, we can do much in promoting women ‎representation in managerial and leadership positions, and for that reason, we ‎encourage the collaboration between institutions, governments and decision makers to ‎that end, on both regional and global levels. ”In terms of countries, the report ‎presented the following figures: in USA, 12% of members of board of directors are ‎women, and only 3% are headed by chairwomen, against 30% and 3% respectively ‎in France, 18% and 4% in Germany, 8% and 3% in India. In conclusion, Salhab ‎emphasized that "we are currently witnessing a much desired increase in the level of ‎female representation in executive boards, but the number of women chairing these ‎boards remain low, even in the most developed of countries” while adding that it is very ‎necessary to step up efforts to break gender stereotypes. This she said can be achieved ‎through raising awareness, education and provision of role models, developing ‎legislation and policies that promote gender diversity and allow women to have an ‎acceptable work- family life balance. (Al Diyar, July 9 2015)‎