KUALA LUMPUR (March 7): Malaysia holds the highest percentage of women absent in businesses at 31% among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a global survey.

The report showed while there was a slight increase from 22% women in senior management positions to 26%, 31% of businesses failed to feature women in leadership levels, said independent assurance, tax and advisory firm SJ Grant Thornton Ltd.

Its Malaysian country managing partner Datuk NK Jasani said the survey done by the firm found the number of businesses without women holding senior leadership roles here had risen from 21% in 2012.

"The survey revealed that in Malaysia, 26% of people in the senior management consists of women. This is an increase from 22% last year, but this number is still the lowest among other ASEAN countries," he said in a statement in conjunction with International Women's Day today.

In ASEAN, the countries with the highest proportion of leadership roles held by women are Philippines (39%) Thailand (37%), and Indonesia (36%), with Singapore being on par with Malaysia at 26% for the lowest recognition.

Globally, Russia tops the list with 45% senior roles held by women, said the firm, adding that in Philippines, only 9% of businesses did not have women in high-level roles, while Japan and Germany had only 7% and 15% of women in senior position, respectively.

The proportion of senior positions in the world has grown from 22% to 24%, but the minor growth coincides with the rise of women absent in top positions at 33%, compared to 32% last year.

Jasani said the low number in Malaysia was evident, despite the call and initiative by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to see women holding 30% of board positions in public-listed companies and the launch of 30% Club last year.

He said businesses could explore initiatives launched by the government that benefit both employers and women job seekers to increase the number of women in senior management.

“TalentCorp offers initiatives and grants such as the Career Comeback Grants that encourage employers to recruit and retain women on career breaks, enabling them to expand their talent pool and provide career opportunities for women looking to return to work.

“Businesses can apply a double tax deduction incentive when they hire and train women who are on career breaks, and also when they implement or enhance flexible work arrangements and establish a childcare centre and/or support for employees with children,” he said.

In order to attract women leaders, Jasani said businesses should understand what drives women to strive for and take up a leadership position.

“42% of women in this survey say that recognition of ability was the strongest driver that contributed to them choosing a senior leadership position. 35% said holding a senior leadership position was to earn a higher salary, 35% said it was for the experience and 31% said it was to empower or to serve others.

“By recognising these factors, companies should act and improve on these motivating factors,” he said.