Malaysian companies need stronger organisational support to advance more women to CEO roles, Sungei Bagan Rubber Co Bhd independent director Grace Yap Mei Wan said.
“I had this discussion; women often drop off after starting families, choosing not to pursue a career or maintain an active career. I believe the solution lies in strong support systems – understanding and tolerant infrastructures within organisations that enable women to be a mother, be a wife as well as be a good employee.
However, despite a rise in the number of women holding chief sustainability officer positions, Yap expressed a desire to see more women in CEO roles. “While many CSOs are women, I believe we need more women in CEO positions,” she said. Meanwhile, she suggested that the uptrend and the uptake of sustainability roles among women in the workplace are due to women’s inclination towards being passionate about sustainability issues.