We need to recognise that the business sector in Australia drives our economy, influences government policy, and provides leadership and support within the community.

Gender diversity in corporate/business leadership remains an issue. It indicates equity in one area of leadership and governance, as well as the level of access and support available for women to take up business leadership roles.

The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) census of Australia’s top 200 companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange highlighted our current state of health in gender diversity.

If you look at the stats, female participation in leadership at Executive and Board levels has not been significantly improved.

Since 2002, on average 10% of ASX200 company executive managers have been women. In 2008, 55% of companies employed at least one female executive manager, compared to 47% in 2002.

At Board level, results have been basically static.  Female board directors – 8% in both 2002 and 2008. In 2008, 51% of ASX200 companies did not have any female board directors. Bear in mind the resources boom led to a change in the industry mix of the ASX200 (more male-dominated industries) which may have negatively impacted the 2008 result.

Women do receive recognition by being represented in other leadership and decision-making positions across Australian society.

• 23% of Australian ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions were women (DFAT 2010).
• 50% of the members of the inaugural national executive of the new National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples were women (NCAFP 2010).
• 37% of senior executives in the Australian Government Public Service were women, and 33% of members on Australian Government controlled boards and bodies were women (OFW 2009).

So, it seems that government is pulling its weight in enabling women of merit to be represented at senior levels.

Why is it still taking so long for commercial organisations at large so long to find women of merit to fill more senior roles and board positions?

Do such women not exist?

If they do exist, are they putting their hands up to be counted

Or is the principle of leading in such environments unappealing?

Interestingly at a recent leadership conference I attended a question was asked – where are the women leaders? On three panels of up to five people there were no women represented.

The male convenor felt the need to explain that in his organisation most of the senior roles were taken up by women and another male member of the panel proffered that his organisation had many women in leadership roles.

They just didn’t get it.

Women (and men) need to see other women represented in public forums to act as role models for others to step up to the leadership plate.