Gender Equality Indonesia: Fewer Women Participation at High Positions
With international Women’s Day approaching, the latest report from Grant Thornton, a leading global independent assurance, tax and advisory firm, shows that gender equality in Indonesia is still a matter of concern. The Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) reveals that the proportion of business leadership positions held by women in Indonesia has declined below the global average (22 percent), hitting a new record low of 20 percent (from 41 percent last year).
As such, Indonesian women participation at senior management positions in Indonesia is below figures seen in other ASEAN member countries such as Thailand (27 percent), Singapore (23 percent), and Malaysia (22 percent), and only slightly above figures in New Zealand (19 percent) and India (15 percent). This result is in sharp contrast to the findings in last year’s report which showed that the proportion of Indonesian women at the board level was highest among all ASEAN businesses interviewed.
The latest Grant Thornton International Business Report shows that parenthood (41 percent), other family obligations or pressures (41 percent), insufficient structures for women (31 percent), and gender bias (24 percent) were perceived as major barriers for women to advance into senior management position.
Managing Partner at Grant Thornton Indonesia Johanna Gani stated: “Emerging Asia Pacific economies have historically benefited from cheap childcare infrastructure in the form of relatives living nearby, allowing women to go out to work. However, similar to Japan and India, the culture in Indonesia is strongly influenced by hierarchy and patriarchal societies, which prevent women from reaching the upper echelons of the business world. We’ve heard businesses talk the talk on gender equality for decades now, but still too few are walking the walk. Aside from the moral issue of ensuring equal opportunity for all, a more representative blend of women and men in senior roles just makes good business sense. If an economy is only using half its most talented people, then it immediately cuts its growth potential.”
She added that “significant volatility in year-on-year results suggests businesses in the region are far from homogeneous, but downwards trend in female participation accelerated over past 12 months, especially in Indonesia. This presents real challenges not just for businesses, but also for governments, and the society. We should work together on this issue. We should start by making some changes in the way we live and work; for example, we should stop holding female leaders up to a higher standard of life and work. Governments can support this by mandating quotas for women on boards. The whole society must challenge the gender bias. And business should make a top-level commitment in supporting women leaders.”
° The net balance is the percentage of the respondents who are optimistic less the percentage of those who are pessimistic. The highest possible figure is +100 percent, while the lowest possible figure is -100 percent.
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