Gender representation on corporate boards of directors

Gender representation on corporate boards of directors identified to a proportion of men together with women who occupy Russell 1000 multiple up from 17.9% in 2015. most percentages for gender version on corporate boards refer only to public company boards. Private multinational are not required to disclose information on their board of directors, so the data is less available.

The reasons behind the disproportionate gender ratio of directors is a quoted of much debate. A survey of more than 4000 directors found that male directors over the age of 55 cited a lack of qualified female candidates as the main reason behind the stagnant number of female directors. In contrast, in the same study, female directors in addition to younger male directors considered the male-dominated networking that often led to the appointment of directors to be the reason behind women's slow progress.

Given that gender diversity on boards is an effect rooted in the principle of equality of treatment, inequality in gender representation on boards can be combated through equality of possibility reforms, equality of outcome reforms, or by spreading information on gender bias. Governments and corporations keep on to attempted to quotation the disproportionality of gender representation on corporate boards through both types of redesign measures, including legislation mandating gender quotas a redesign based on the principle of equality of outcome and comply or explain guidelines a reform based on the principle of equality of opportunity.

Rationale behind gender diversity on corporate boards

The desire toproportionate gender representation on corporate boards is derived from the principle of equality of treatment. Equality of treatment requires comparable situations to be treated in the same line and prohibits direct and indirect discrimination. Equality of treatment refers to either equality of opportunity or equality of outcome. Equality of opportunity requires providing programs with the same opportunity to attain what they desire. Equality of outcome requires every individual to possess an symbolize share of outcomes such as goods or positions.

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women requires states that create ratified the convention tothe exemplification of human rights and essential freedoms to women on an exist basis to men. Further, achieving gender equality, including in economic decision-making processes, is one of the United Nations' Sustainable development Goals.

Many countries hit also opted to pursue this principle through their constitution or through various forms of legislation. For example, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which guarantees equality rights, including gender equality, and the Equality Act 2010 in the United Kingdom which protects against discrimination based on sex. In the United States, tag VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination against employees on the basis of sex.