TO boost female participation in top echelons of the corporate world, the 30% Club Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with several entities to address the gender imbalance at the top management.
The MoU, signed with the Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance (MICG), CnetG Asia Sdn Bhd (CnetG) and Asia School of Business (ASB) respectively is aimed at promoting diversity, equity and inclusion to address gender imbalance on company boards and C-suites.
“Since our establishment in 2015, we have been engaging with key stakeholders to increase the representation of women on the boards of Malaysian public listed companies.
“Today, we are pleased to welcome MICG, CnetG and the ASB into our ecosystem of partners for a sustainable change,” said 30% Club Malaysia president Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar.
Last month, the business-led campaigner said that percentage of women representation on the top 100 public listed companies (PLC) dipped to 25.4%, compared to 26.9% recorded last year.
The slight decrease was attributed to the change in the composition of the top 100 companies, with several PLCs now having no women on board.
Calling it a temporary setback, the NGO vowed to further address gender imbalance in corporate Malaysia, while crediting the nation for leading the way, on par with Japan and China.
On the new collaboration, MICG president Datuk Yusli Mohamed Yusoff said that he was looking forward to empowering more women to become to management leaders in companies.
“The Institute will support with participation as speakers, contribution of articles, research and opportunities to mentor women as they take on increasing responsibility in their organisations,” he said.
CnetG Asia managing partner Raj Kumar Paramanathan said his organisation would continue to strive to be inclusive its hiring process, especially on leadership roles.
“Partnering with 30% Club Malaysia will enhance our efforts to influence and impact by advancing conversations around diversity and inclusion with boards and senior leadership teams,” he remarked.
On related matter, Zarinah said forging strategic partnerships was key to ensure gender imbalance on top management of companies’ issues are addressed holistically.
“And today, five years on, our focus has been on building a more robust ecosystem aimed at this case for change,” she added. – Dec 10, 2020
