Women are advancing into senior leadership roles, but access to board positions remains uneven, according to a report from the International Women’s Board Directors (IWBD) and Wilton & Bain.
The report draws on 36 industry committee meetings across nine sectors, involving senior executives, board members and emerging leaders. It identifies limited access to influential networks, weak sponsorship, promotion bias and a lack of visibility as persistent barriers.
Sponsorship is highlighted as particularly important. Unlike mentorship, which focuses on advice and support, sponsorship involves senior leaders actively advocating for women and creating opportunities for advancement.
The report also points to perceptions around pregnancy, differences in how assertive men and women are viewed, and a shortage of visible female role models. It recommends stronger visibility through public speaking, digital presence, authentic storytelling and thought leadership.
Challenges differ by sector. Technology faces leadership pipeline gaps and promotion bias, while healthcare sees women plateauing in middle management. In finance and HR, clearer definitions of board readiness could help candidates understand the experience and skills expected at board level.
AI fluency, sustainability expertise, judgement and emotional intelligence are emerging as important leadership capabilities. The report recommends sponsorship and board-readiness programs, structured selection processes, cross-functional rotations, executive shadowing and funding for women-led innovation.
Across its findings, the report identifies sponsorship, visibility and competence as the three factors most shaping women’s path to the boardroom.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
