Annual Gender Equality Evaluation Report for the Year 2019

Annual Gender Equality Evaluation Report for the Year 2019

Gender Balance Index 2019 Highlights Imbalance in Central Banks, Sovereign Funds, and Public Pension Funds

The Gender Balance Index (GBI) 2019, a comprehensive study assessing gender diversity in central banks, sovereign wealth funds, and public pension funds globally, has revealed significant underrepresentation of women in leadership and decision-making roles within these institutions.

According to the GBI 2019 findings, central banks exhibited a gender imbalance, with women holding a minority of leadership positions. Female representation was often below parity on central bank boards and in senior executive roles. Similar patterns were observed in sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds, where women were underrepresented in governance and senior management positions.

The index, which takes into account the seniority of individuals within these institutions, highlighted persistent gender imbalances despite growing awareness of the importance of gender diversity for organizational performance and governance quality. The report emphasized that while some progress had been made, substantial gaps remained, indicating a need for stronger policies and commitments to achieve gender balance.

In 2019, the central banks' GBI score stood at 25%, a six-percentage-point improvement since 2018. North America was the most improved region, with a central bank GBI index score of 36%, an 11-percentage-point increase. However, Asia had the lowest regional central bank GBI index score at 9%. Out of 173 central banks globally, only 14 are headed by women.

Sovereign funds, on the other hand, had a GBI score of 17%, with only eight funds headed by women. Poor diversity in many sovereign and public pension funds impedes ESG investment. Europe has the highest regional central bank GBI index score at 38%, a three-percentage-point improvement. Thirty-five central banks have no women in senior positions.

The GBI 2019 serves as a benchmark to measure these institutions' gender diversity, showing that globally, most central banks and major public investment funds had not yet reached gender parity. The study, in its sixth year, is a call to action, aiming to draw attention to the disappointing gender balance through a comprehensive and methodical analysis.

The index provides a means to measure and compare the gender balance within various public financial institutions worldwide. Global and regional scores are further weighted by the size of institutions' corresponding economies and assets under management. The GBI 2019 report provides a complimentary download for those interested in learning more about the specific findings.

Broader context related to gender diversity and parity globally includes ongoing global initiatives and progress toward gender equality. However, many countries and institutions still face legal, cultural, and structural barriers limiting women's representation in economic leadership positions. Efforts like the UN's Generation Equality Forum and campaigns like #EqualPeace emphasize gender inclusion in leadership at all levels, but specific data on central banks and sovereign funds primarily come from targeted indices like GBI 2019. The general gender gap remains significant in leadership roles in finance and public institutions despite incremental improvements in some regions.

For those seeking the exact numerical data or country-specific results from the GBI 2019, it may require consulting the original GBI 2019 report or databases from organizations specializing in gender diversity metrics for financial institutions.

1. The Gender Balance Index 2019 revealed that sovereign funds had a gender balance score of 17%, with only eight funds headed by women, highlighting a need for diversification in their investment strategies.
2. The data from the Gender Balance Index 2019 showed that central banks had a score of 25%, indicating a significant underrepresentation of women in senior executive roles, particularly in Asia where the lowest regional score was recorded at 9%.
3. The report emphasized that while some progress has been made in terms of gender balance, many public financial institutions globally, including public pension funds, still impede ESG investment due to poor diversity in senior management positions.
4. The Gender Balance Index 2019 serves as a benchmark for assessing the gender diversity within various public financial institutions worldwide, with the index's findings providing evidence of the persisting gender imbalance in the finance sector, particularly in leadership roles.

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