The Private Sector Development Initiative (PSDI) in partnership with BCFW together with other partners, launched the “Leadership Matters: Benchmarking Women in Business Leadership in the Pacific” report today at the Stanley Hotel in POM. The report aims to provide data and guidance for private sector businesses and organisations. Civil society development partners and governments to develop in business and ultimately, women’s leadership in all aspects of society. Executive Director of BCFW Evonne Kennedy added that, PNG has one of the lowest rates of gender equality in the world and not only is this bad for women and girls but also for businesses. “She said, this report is an excellent resource that informs us where we need to invest to create a fertile ground for the growth, performance and leadership excellence of women.” PNGID President Sharon Kupp Tendui made a call to action for business houses and other organisations to take measures or further set targets to support women into higher levels of leadership. “Women’s leadership is critical to social, economic and political development. That is why this report is important, she said.” “She further stated that, the women representation in our political leadership is and continues to be deplore. However with many social and economic advancements we hope that the launch today will provide the platform for business leaders, the government, stakeholders, all and key persons to start conversations of driving this agenda.” New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Dr Nathan Ross stated that internationally, women are not represented in leadership roles, including the private sector. Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Ross said, globally women hold only 29% of senior management positions, 5.3% of board chair positions and 4.4% of CEOs. “This low levels of women’s representations internationally reflect a range of issues, especially outdated workplace cultures, systemic challenges and because of sexism and exclusion, he said.” But research shows that women entering or taking up leadership roles impacts positively on companies’ performance and results and this must be encouraged more in organisations, he said. From the data collected, out of the 274 organisations in the Pacific only 50 organisations in PNG took part in the data collection. According to Rosanda Kora from the Private Sector Development Initiative, in PNG, there is no women in Parliament, yet the report found that in the sample of 50 organisations, women held 19% of Board positions, 4% of chair positions and comprised 5% of CEOs. These figures compare favourably with global rates of representation but are lower than the pacific regional averages. She added that, In PNG and across the Pacific, social norms and organisational policies and practices continue to slow down women’s ability to assume leadership roles. Meanwhile, former Secretary General Pacific Islands Forum Dame Meg Taylor said, if we want this numbers to change, then we need to focus seriously into education. “We have to be innovative in terms of what systems we can set-up and to find a way to work with universities to get students engaged with senior leadership programs and to train them to take up those positions, she said.” It all starts with the younger generations, we need to educate them and equip them with the skills set and help them build that confidence to take up rolls like that once that complete their academic year.