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.
"As policymakers and business leaders are internationally considering a trend for more board diversity (including gender diversity), examination of business case for gender diversity in the context of Pakistan merits consideration" explained Dr Afra Sajjad, Head of Education and Policy Development of ACCA Pakistan.
Arif Masud Mirza, Head of ACCA Pakistan commented, 'Women constitute 43 percent 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, he added.
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, networks and mentors to help women in middle and senior-level management to overcome perceived obstacles and succeed in reaching board positions. Kanwar Anwar Saeed, General Manager Human Resources, Engro Fertilisers 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.
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.-PR
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