Women presence on board of directors: A prevailing myth

After years of struggle for eliminating gender-based disparities, women are now visible in most spheres of society. However, board rooms have been impermeable to a greater presence of women. How and when will female representation on board of directors be improved? Some professional women debate the issue. A report on directors’ fees in Mauritius, published in 2015 by Hay Group, in association with the Mauritius Institute of Directors (MioD), speaks volumes. Of the 612 director posts covered by the study, only 4.58% of positions were held by women. The presence of women on boards and sub-committees is rare; only 5.6% of board members are female. At committee level, only the Risk and Audit Committees show a presence of female chairpersons (7.7% and 6.7% respectively). [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12431","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20363 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"176","height":"200","alt":"Alexandra1"}}]] Alexandra Ho: “Women complement men in many ways” Alexandra Ho, founder and martial artist from Shaolin Mauritius, argues that women are capable and very educated to act as a board member. “Women have higher emotional intelligence. Nowadays, we see high profile women bring something new and fresh to the table. Women complement men in many ways. We also see how women are emerging in male dominated careers. All we need is to trust women,” she says. When asked about the introduction of the quotas, she replies: “We have to start somewhere. The government is encouraging more women participation. We are witnessing a generation of young entrepreneurial women and high achievers coming on the front line. They must be encouraged. Women first priority is the family. But with the work life balance they can perform very well,” she adds. Alexandra expects to see women on boards. “I encourage high achievers like our president to come forward.” [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12429","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20361 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"195","height":"181","alt":"Sheila"}}]]Sheila Virahsawmy: “Against the introduction of a quota” Health, Safety and Environment Manager, Sheila Virahsawmy, claims that women are very competent in all spheres. “Women are equipped with qualities such as patience. If we have more men on boards, it is because often, they are the ones heading those companies and hence, they are given more opportunities. But today, many women are choosing fields like engineering. Positively enough, we should give ourselves some more time for this to become a reality,” she states. We should not be obsessed about having more women on boards, she says. “We should not do it just for the sake of representation. This is completely wrong. The competence and potential of the persons must be taken into consideration,” she says. Sheila Virahsawmy is against the introduction of a quota. “If we meet a quota, it is an obligation. Competence must be given priority. Mauritius is evolving positively, so it is better to give it time and not to rush.” [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12430","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20362 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"193","height":"209","alt":"priscilla"}}]]Priscilla Balgobin-Bhoyrul: “The issue is not lack of qualifications and experience” Barrister at Law, Priscilla Balgobin-Bhoyrul believes that there is no excuse to not increase the number of women on boards in both listed and non listed companies. “There are plenty of qualified women with the right skill set available to fill in those seats, but they have not been invited to join in. It is also true that some women are reluctant to do so but, as they see more women step up and accept those responsibilities, they might be encouraged to do so as well. Lack of qualifications and experience are not the real issues,” she says. According to the barrister, companies can have a charter where they voluntarily commit to increase the number of women on their boards. “I do not think we still have to make a case for increasing the number of women. After all, half the population consists of women and the advantages of having them on boards has already been widely researched and documented. Training programs should be initiated to train women in board dynamics,” she adds. Priscilla feels that the introduction of a quota could solve the issue but still, she is against the quota system. “Boards should choose and be proud to invite more women to join because they are convinced of the benefits of doing so and because they want to. I am confident this will happen in the medium term. In any case, a quota system could also be challenged as being discriminatory and anticonstitutional,” she concludes. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12432","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20364 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"202","height":"183","alt":"Roshni"}}]]Dr Roshni Mooneeram:“Some women are even more qualified than men” Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, Dr Roshni Mooneeram advocates that women are as qualified as men to act as board members. “Actually, more women are studying at universities than men. Some women are even more qualified than men to be sitting on boards. If we see only a few women on boards, it is because the structures are not allowing them to get where they should be,” she affirms. Dr Mooneeram argues that there are a number of things which prevent women from realising their potential. “We cannot talk of a developed nation if we are not taking on board the full potential of 52% of the population. A lot more must be done to encourage women to be on boards because they can contribute,” she says. She asserts that as a start, we need to introduce a kind of quota as the current situation is so dramatic and we need to actively encourage the women to be on boards.” [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12437","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20369 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"177","height":"236","alt":"vishnee-payen"}}]]Vishnee Payen: “Women can definitely be on board” Group Sustainability & CSR Manager at LUX*, Vishnee Payen ensures that diversity brings more energy and dynamics to the boardroom because women are as worthy and as qualified as men and can definitely be part of the board. International boards are relatively gender neutral. “The contribution of a male director is no different than that of a female director. Women are actually very powerful leaders and can contribute tremendously in making a real difference, irrespective of where they come from. They just need to have a strong presence in decision-making positions but again this will depend on them – their leadership skills and competencies, which include being a contributor to the company’s long-term success,” she claims. She highlights that since women are not as active in the existing networks; the list of potential candidates is male-dominated. “Normally, the board has a nomination committee, which identifies the criteria for new directors. The committee also makes use of head-hunters,” she states. The main challenge is the current lack of diversity. “Above all, the whole issue of diversity should be addressed. The governance guidelines should lead to more diversity which will in turn lead to optimum functioning and hence, better performing corporations,” she adds. Vishnee believes that during the transition phase, the quotas are interesting. “Once the targets and objectives are known, there need to be follow-ups by regulatory bodies with regards to transparency in disclosure of more information by firms on how they appoint board members. However, what would be more effective is to provide encouraging incentives and positive recognition to the companies rather than forcing them to fulfil the quotas.” [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12434","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20366 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"183","height":"204","alt":"selinda"}}]]Belinda Teeroovengadum Ramtohul: “Companies should go for merit over quota” Belinda Teeroovengadum Ramtohul, Communication Manager at Vivo Energy Mauritius, asserts that there is no reason a woman, who holds the same qualifications and experience as a man, should not be considered for a position on the board. “Women are not less able than men to act as directors and be on boards. As a matter of fact, a recent survey reveals that companies with the highest female representation as board directors attained significantly higher financial performance, on average, than those with the lowest representation. There are several discourses that account for the lesser number of women on boards. Some women choose not to take additional responsibilities because they have other priorities, in many cases raising their children. In other cases, women are side-lined because of the possibility of them taking maternity leave, which is seen as affecting the work flow by some, or even downright sexism,” she maintains. She feels that company policy should make both men and women feel equally valued, and women in the workplace should not feel less able than their male counterparts. “Company policy should also allow for the professional growth of women at the same rate as that of men. Women are increasingly willing to do jobs that were traditionally considered as ‘male jobs.’ A change of mindset is essential.” She contends that there should be no such thing as a quota. “We are talking of competence here. So anyone, no matter the gender, who is the best qualified for the position, should have that job, and be it a director or any job. Companies should go for merit over quota.” [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12436","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20368 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"154","height":"152","alt":"Madhavi"}}]]Madhavi Ramdin: “Women are as strong and competent to deliver” Head of ACCA Mauritius, Madhavi Ramdin, avers that women are as qualified as men. “Statistics show that we have a higher number of women who are better qualified and hence, capable of being on board. The reasons why women are under represented on boards does not simply boil down to a lack of competencies or qualifications. The issue lies with the glass ceiling. Traditionally, in companies, men are more able to occupy higher level positions than women. In Mauritius there is still the belief that women may not have time for personal life and professional commitments.” Madhavi Ramdin stresses upon the fact that in order to curb this trend, education and creating awareness are essential. “Women across the world have been able to deliver. Women are as strong and competent to deliver,” she adds. The Head of ACCA think that a quota should be introduced in order to ward off any discrimination. “However, we should bear in mind that a high level position should be filled by a fully competent individual,” she wraps ups. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12435","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20367 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"193","height":"205","alt":"Athina1"}}]]Athina Pilot: “A quota can help the women to sit the board” Human Resources Coordinator, Operations and Project at Taylor Smith Investment, Athina Pilot recalls that when it comes to men or women siting on the board, it is the same when it comes to qualification and experience. “There is a conventional habit that only men should sit on boards. However, women are slowly and steadily coming forward,” she avers. Appropriate training and confidence for women to voice out can reverse the situation. Athina believes that a quota system can help women to sit the board. “Out of 15 board members, at least two seats must be reserved for women. It is good for a beginning. This can help,” she concludes. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12433","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20365 alignright","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"192","height":"151","alt":"Corinne1"}}]]Corinne Carcasse: “A few years more before women are on boards” Group Learning and Development Officer of Swan Centre, Corinne Carcasse states that in companies today, women are getting the opportunity to be part of board meetings. “There is an increased opportunity for women compared to ten years ago. At management level, three or four years more, we will see women emerging on boards,” she says. For Corinne Carcasse, it is not a question of quota but a question of competence. “All depends on the commitment to serve the company and the competence. It is important to have a good leadership at this level and hence this has nothing to do with quota.”