Progress in terms of the number of women in senior leadership positions has been alarmingly slow. This is stated in a survey conducted by Grant Thornton Women’s Business this year, which identifies barriers and factors that can drive change. Globally, the percentage of women in leadership positions is 32.4%, up just 0.5% from 2022 and just 13% from 2004, when the first Grant Thornton survey was conducted. However, in Greece, the share of women in leadership positions increased significantly by 9 percentage points in 2023, reaching 37% compared to 28% in 2022 and reaching the highest level.

At the same time, the percentage of businesses that do not have women in senior management has dropped significantly to 11% from 22% last year, the second-lowest since the start of the study. However, in terms of the broader global picture, it is estimated that at this level in 2025, the percentage of women in leadership positions will be only 34%.

Grant Thornton notes that businesses need targeted action to accelerate progress, and identifies a number of factors that will contribute to this acceleration. 28% of companies today have a female managing director or CEO, up from just 15% in 2019. This trend is likely to lead to new business practices aimed at increasing diversity and pushing more and more businesses towards gender equality.

Secondly, external pressures on environmental, social and corporate governance issues require the development of new strategies. The establishment of global standards and rules regarding the principles of socially sensitive management is forcing companies to form more diverse management teams. Difficulties in separating diversity can result in a business having difficulty raising capital.

Perhaps the most important push towards achieving gender equality may come from the continued commitment of businesses to flexible working hours. This year’s research shows that companies offering hybrid, flexible or remote work excel when it comes to women in leadership roles.

In 2023, in Greece, the proportion of businesses with no women in management positions dropped markedly to 11%, compared to 22% the previous year.

The more flexibility the workplace offers, the more women are in leadership positions. Flexible working also has its challenges. Organizations need to make sure they have a culture that supports and promotes agile work.

In Greece, the percentage of female partners registered a “jump” from the previous year, up to 25%, up from just 5% in 2022, while the corresponding percentage worldwide is 8%. However, the proportion of women in CEO and CEO positions declined to 14% from 16% in the previous year, while the proportion of women in CEO positions also fell by two percentage points to 34% from 36% in the previous year. Last year. 2022

Greek companies report that the main actions they have taken over the past 12 months to ensure that the principles of inclusion and equal opportunity of representation for both genders in their work environment are respected is to create an environment where all employees can openly express their ideas and concerns (37.3) . %), adapting existing training and development programs to a changing environment (28.4%), ensuring work-life balance and providing more flexibility for employees (27.5%), and monitoring employee mental health and/or well-being ( 27.5%.

Regarding the data above, Katerina Koulouri, Partner, Head of Human Resources and Culture at Grant Thornton in Greece, characteristically says: “Changes in the Greek legal framework have opened the door for women to some roles that were previously held by men. Hybrid flexible work also has a positive impact as it creates less bias in recruitment for certain positions.”

For her part, Alexandra Baltuka, Partner, Head of Marketing and Customer Experience at Grant Thornton in Greece, emphasizes: “Today it’s not just about women. It is about everyone who feels left out, floating between borders, without a strong voice, but with a brave heart and light in the soul. It is the duty of each of us to contribute to a meaningful tomorrow without stereotypes and exceptions, in a healthy society based on love and solidarity.

Enterprises are now increasingly aware that equal representation of the sexes and respect for diversity in the workplace are a necessary step towards building a society of complete equality that will embrace the uniqueness of each person.”