On November 3, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Labour Organization (ILO) presented a new report assessing the current state of gender equality in corporate governance. The study's key finding is that women hold only 30.5% of all management positions worldwide. The data was obtained by analyzing thousands of enterprises across 99 countries, making the study one of the most representative in this field.
Slow but Noticeable Progress
Senior ILO expert Chang Jae-hee noted at a press conference that the share of women in leadership positions has grown from approximately 24% three decades ago to 30.5% at present. Despite quantitative growth, the expert emphasized that the pace of progress remains insufficient: the gender gap in management has not significantly narrowed, and positive changes have not translated into a systemic shift. According to her, there is ample evidence that empowering women directly benefits business, yet the potential of the female workforce remains underutilized.
Reduction of Workplace Support Programs
The report highlights that workplace support programs for women, including maternity leave, are showing signs of reduction. This is happening despite the proven effectiveness of such measures for businesses. The ILO points to a serious imbalance in career advancement opportunities between men and women and urges businesses to actively eliminate structural barriers that limit women's career growth and their ability to hold leadership positions.
The Invisible Burden of Domestic Responsibilities
In addition to corporate factors, the organization highlighted the unequal distribution of family care responsibilities. The burden of household chores, largely placed on women, limits their opportunities for professional activity, promotion, and career development. The ILO argues that promoting gender equality in management requires a comprehensive approach — from improving working conditions and maintaining supportive policies to a more equitable distribution of family care duties.
Call for Structural Action
The ILO stresses that declarative measures are not enough: the corporate sector and state institutions must transition to concrete structural changes. The organization urges enterprises to review internal hiring, promotion, and retention policies, and to factor in gender when designing career progression systems. Without such steps, ILO experts estimate that achieving true leadership parity will remain a task for decades to come.
