Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Board diversity: is gender the missing link?

Board diversity: is gender the missing link?

ACCA Pakistan organised discussion forum 'Board diversity: is gender the missing link?' on 24 May 2011 in Karachi as gender diversity on boards has become an international discussion theme.

The panelists of the forum were Mr Arif Masud Mirza, Head of ACCA Pakistan, Mr Khawar Saeed Ansari, Pakistan Corporate Governance Project Manager, IFC Pakistan, Mr Asif Malik, Vice President Corporate HR & Life Sciences, ICI Pakistan, Ms Jehan Ara, President, Pakistan Software Houses Associations (PASHA), Ms Shafqat Sultana, President, First Women Bank Limited .The discussion was be moderated by Dr Afra Sajjad, Head of Education and Policy Development, ACCA Pakistan.

'As policy makers and business leaders are internationally considering a trend for more board diversity (including gender diversity), the examination of the business case for board gender diversity in the context of Pakistan merits consideration' explained Dr Afra Sajjad, Head of Education and Policy Development of ACCA Pakistan.

Mr Mirza, Head of ACCA Pakistan commented, 'Women constitute 43% of ACCA global membership and ACCA was the first accountancy body to admit women to its membership, in 1909. The discussion paper by presenting a business case for gender diversity based on the premises of fair access and routes to progression, endorses ACCA's core values of opportunity and diversity'.

Mr Asif Malik, Vice President Corporate HR & Life Sciences, ICI Pakistan said that organisations may like to build support programmes and provide access to role models (men and women), networks and mentors (men and women) to help women in middle and senior-level management to overcome perceived obstacles and to succeed in reaching board positions.

While giving her opinion, Ms Shafqat Sultana, President, First Women Bank Limited said that even though more women have entered Pakistan's paid workforce in the last decade, from the small number of professional, qualified and experienced women directors, it appears that there is a need for greater understanding of the potential business case for gender diversity on boards of publicly listed companies.

Ms Jehan Ara, President, Pakistan Software Houses Associations (PASHA) elaborated on the role of social media and information technology in creating awareness of the business case for having women on boards.

Mr Kanwar Anwar Saeed, General Manager Human Resources, Engro Fertilizers Ltd said that business leaders who are already championing gender diversity on boards within their organisations may be encouraged to assume an ambassadorial role, promoting the benefits of gender diversity on boards at public forums.

The participants of the forum were key personals from public practice, corporate and public sector.