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Women missing in business and government top jobs

MasterCard's survey in Asia

Women in Asia are still facing barriers to leadership positions in business and government organisations, according to MasterCard's survey across the Asia-Pacific region.

The survey was released this month in connection with International Women's Day (8 March 2013) and covered 14 Asian countries and regions.

It comprises three main indicators: Employment (workforce participation and regular employment), education (secondary education and tertiary education) and leadership (business owners, business leaders and political leaders).

Each indicator shows the ratio of the number of women to every 100 men.

Here are the findings:

* Women's overall social-economy participation ranking (employment, education and leadership)
1st: New Zealand (77.8)
2nd: Australia (76.0)
3rd: Philippines (70.5)
4th: Singapore (67.5)
5th: Taiwan (64.7)
...
12th: Korea (49.7)
13th: Japan (48.1)
Last place: India (38.0)

New Zealand ranked top in workforce participation with more than 90 women to every 100 men. However the figure drops to about 50 in business and political leadership.

* Women taking leadership in business and political activities (to every 100 man)
1st: New Zealand (51.6)
2nd: Australia (49.7)
3rd: Philippines (45.6)
4th: Singapore (36.5)
5th: Vietnam (33.5)
...
12th: Korea (17.5)
13th: India (15.2)
Last place: Japan (14.2)

* Secondary and tertiary education for women (to every 100 male student) Almost all countries, including Singapore and Japan, measures between 95 and 100, except for Korea (84.5) and India (79.3).

Commented Ms. Georgette Tan, group head of MasterCard Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa communications: "There is still a lot to be done in our region to enhance the role of women across all aspects of society; there are still too few women leaders in government and business, and not enough women-owned and run businesses."

What would help improve women's social standing? The MasterCard survey showed that education would advance women's roles in the society.

Another MasterCard survey on consumer purchasing priorities found that women in the Asia-Pacific view affirmative action and more seats in parliament as ways of improving their social standing.