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    Not enough women bosses says survey

    There are not enough women in senior management positions, a survey has revealed.
    Not enough women bosses says survey

    According to Grant Thorton's International Business Report (IBR) on women, just over one quarter of top decision-making roles in South African businesses were filled by women.

    As had been the case since 2009 only 28% of senior management positions were occupied by women.

    "The percentage of working women in senior management positions in South Africa was inadequate and had been static for the past six years," Grant Thorton said.

    This stagnant trend was the same when global averages were reviewed, with international businesses also showing no improvement since 2009.

    The company said 21% of South African businesses surveyed for 2013 had no women in senior management positions.

    Grant Thorton's IBR surveyed the views and expectations of over 12,000 large privately-held businesses and mid-sized listed organisations across 44 economies.

    Outlook improves for SA women

    Grant Thorton partner and head of corporate finance in Johannesburg, Jeanette Hern, said: "President Jacob Zuma's commitment to gender equality in this year's state-of-the-nation address, and his reiteration of the importance of legislation to uplift more women into decision-making roles, are to be welcomed."

    "It is pleasing to note that improving the status of women remains a critical priority for this government," she added.

    The Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill, which seeks to ensure a 50:50 representation of women in decision-making structures in both the private and public sectors, has been approved by Cabinet for public comment.

    Hern said the statistics indicated an urgent need for change. Moreover, 60% of businesses surveyed said they supported the quota system.

    "Globally only 37% of businesses surveyed supported government-enforced quotas," the report claimed.

    The survey revealed that only 15% of South African women were represented on boards compared with 19% globally and 26% in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) economies.

    Data showed a significant improvement in terms of women in chief financial officer positions in South Africa. Women CFOs in the country more than doubled to 32% in 2013 compared with just 14% in 2012.

    However the number of women chief executives continued to be low although there was a slight improvement from last year.

    Hern said: "This steady improvement, although still small, may fare well for women in the long-term. The number of accomplished women in CFO positions could just be a launching pad for women achieving a greater presence at a corporate board level."

    About 32% of local companies indicated that they intended to employ more women in senior positions compared with just 17% in BRIC member states and 15% globally.

    Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge

    Source: I-Net Bridge

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