Australia’s Gender Pay Gap Could Take Six Decades to Close, Report Warns

A new report from Chief Executive Women reveals that progress toward gender balance in corporate Australia is losing momentum, and at the current pace, it could take around six decades to achieve gender parity among ASX-listed company CEOs. Only one in seven CEO appointments over the past year went to women, highlighting the slow pace of change. CEW President Helen Conway discussed the findings on “Bloomberg: The Asia Trade.” Conway attributed the slowdown to a range of factors, including unconscious bias and a lack of targeted policies. She emphasized the need for companies to take proactive steps to promote women into leadership roles. The report’s projections are a stark reminder of the persistent barriers women face in the corporate world. The interview underscored the importance of diversity and inclusion in driving business success. As investors increasingly focus on ESG criteria, companies that fail to address gender disparities may face reputational and financial risks. The report serves as a call to action for Australian businesses to accelerate their efforts toward gender equality.