Executive leaders discuss programmes to overcome gender bias for better organisational performance at a meeting in HCM City on Tuesday. — Photo courtesy of ManpowerGroup

HCM CITY — Leaders need to recognise the obstacles facing women and take proper action to overcome gender barriers, which will improve organisational performance, executive leaders have said.

Women make up more than 50 per cent of the global workforce, but less than 25 per cent of women have senior leadership roles, according to ManpowerGroup, a global workforce solutions company.

The latest research “The Future for Workers, by Workers” by ManpowerGroup reveals that women are impacted on a longer term by the economic and social crisis than men.

They are more likely to be furloughed, more concerned about going back to the workplace and over-represented in sectors most impacted by COVID-19.

“Leaders should understand women’s needs to avoid assumptions and prevent unconscious biases while deploying flexible working and policies that help women stay safe and unleash their fullest potential,” said Carine Rolland, People & Culture Director in Asia Pacific & Middle East at ManpowerGroup.

The first step to overcoming these biases is to acknowledge that we have them, Rolland said at a virtual event titled “Unleashing New Waves of Women Leaders” held earlier this week in HCM City.

Challenging our own assumptions means being aware of our biases and course-correcting for them, she said.

Among the solutions for more women in leadership, leaders should hire more, promote more, and lose less. It is critical for male leaders to champion this issue, she added.

Uyên Hồ, director of global public affairs at Intel Products Vietnam & Malaysia, said that organisations and companies should know why they need to promote female leaders, what challenges await, and how to help women realise their fullest potential as they deserve equal opportunities with men.

Gender diversity in a sustainable way results in the greater success of women in executive leadership positions, Uyên said.

Enterprises and organisations should apply policies on equal pay and benefits for males and females as well as implement programmes to promote female recruitment and leaders, she said. — VNS