KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia Bhd, DiGi.Com Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd and Top Glove Corp Bhd have been listed for the 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).
The GEI recognises publicly listed companies that bring transparency to gender-related practices and policies, increasing the breadth of environmental, social, governance (ESG) data available to investors.
The GEI comprised 418 companies across 45 countries and regions this year, with a record number of companies disclosing their data using the GEI Framework.
This came despite expanded areas of information requested to support more robust ESG data provided to investors.
Firms on the 2022 index have a combined market capitalisation of US$16 trillion compared to US$14 trillion last year.
Bloomberg chairman Peter T Grauer said the changing nature of work due to the pandemic had highlighted the importance of addressing gender equality issues in a rapidly-evolving global workforce.
"The GEI recognises companies that are maintaining a strong focus on providing an inclusive work environment that supports the evolving needs of employees and retains the competitive strengths gained through gender diversity, which is increasingly critical in this challenging business environment."
Bloomberg broke down the data excellence score into scores across five pillars, namely, female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.
The 2022 GEI Insights Report published today outlined the breadth and depth of data incorporated in calculating the GEI and illustrated the impact of concerted gender-equality efforts in the workplace.
Key findings from companies in the 2022 GEI revealed that on average, GEI members' boards were comprised of 31 per cent women and 72 per cent have a chief diversity officer or an executive with the primary responsibility of diversity and inclusion.
The companies have an average of 39 per cent of women in revenue-producing roles, and more than half (61 per cent) require a gender diverse slate of candidates for management positions.
On average, the finding showed that GEI members hire more women, with 83 per cent having a direct strategy for recruiting women and 66 per cent conducting global gender-based compensation reviews.
These companies are more likely to adopt family-friendly policies, with 75 per cent of companies offering on-site lactation rooms and 59 per cent providing childcare subsidies or other financial support.
The GEI framework also helped companies assess their progress relative to their peers and their own goals.
In turn, the GEI data provided investors with a comprehensive dataset to help evaluate how best practices in gender equity contribute to company performance across a variety of factors, said Bloomberg global head of sustainable finance solutions Patricia Torres.
Bursa Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift said diversity and inclusion were an essential part of the bourse operator's conversation concerning the future of work.
"Hence in December 2021, we developed a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy to strengthen further our commitment to creating a gender-balanced and diverse workforce," he said.
Muhamad Umar said Bursa Malaysia would continue efforts in advancing the gender equality agenda, both internally and for the capital market.
"This includes enhancement to our internal policies as well as external programmes to reduce the gender investing gap."
Digi Com chief human resource officer Elisabeth Melander Stene said the recognition was a testament to the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I).
"It also encourages us to stay steadfast in improving our D&I practices so that we can continue to attract the right talents and investors during these challenging times."
Maybank group president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Farid Alias said the bank would continue with its pursuit of making further improvements in gender equality in line with its objectives for inclusivity and diversity and as identified under the M25 strategic plan.
"The recent pandemic has reinforced the importance for organisations to leverage on the benefits of more diverse, agile, and purpose-driven workforces – both in terms of business as well as long-term sustainability.
"For Maybank, our mission of Humanising Financial Services has been a key factor in driving our employee diversity, inclusiveness and equal opportunity programmes, which we believe has enabled us to realise even more business opportunities and in being fair to all our stakeholders," he said.
Top Glove said the recognition validated the groups' ongoing efforts in the ESG space to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
"ESG considerations, which include gender equality and equal opportunity, are integral to our business agenda and long term growth.
"As the world's largest manufacturer of gloves, we will keep working towards being an industry leader in terms of sustainability, towards continuing delivering value to all our stakeholders," said Top Glove.