Malaysia has least women in senior business roles in Asean

A survey called the 2017 International Business Report (IBR) shows Malaysia is still only half-way there.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has the lowest proportion of senior business roles held by women in Asean, according to a latest report by Grant Thornton.

The 2017 International Business Report (IBR), a survey conducted between October-December in 2016, revealed that only 24% of senior business roles were held by women in Malaysia, down from 26% recorded in the 2016 IBR.

Meanwhile, 34% of businesses here have no women in senior management, up from 31% previously.

The annual survey highlighted that Indonesia had the highest proportion of senior business roles held by women (46%) followed by the Philippines (40%), Thailand (31%) and Singapore (30%).

Grant Thornton Malaysia Country Managing Partner NK Jasani said while businesses across Asean have increased the proportion of senior roles held by women, Malaysia was still only half-way there.

“This is a real concern for business growth as it suggests we are not maximising the potential out there.

“Diversity will be key to their success and those that remain closed are putting themselves at risk of not tapping their full potential and losing access to diversity of thinking,” he added. -FMT