Kenyan lobby group wants more women in corporate boards

NAIROBI: A governance lobby group says appointment of women to board positions, especially among listed firms, should not be based on gender, but professional experience, ability and qualifications.

Speaking in Nairobi over the weekend, the Women on Boards Network (WOBN) Chairperson Catherine Musakali said majority of listed firms in Kenya have minimal women's presence on their boards.

The absence of gender balance, she added, had denied such organisations the necessary diversity required in their leadership and good corporate governance. "It is not disputed that board diversity improves board and organisational performance,'' she explained.

Ms Musakali was speaking during the inaugural graduation of 26 members of the Association of Women Accountants of Kenya (AWAK), who attended a corporate governance training organised by the lobby group.

Citing research in Kenya, Liberia and Cote d'Ivore, Musakali said women were missing in the boards because of lack of opportunities for coaching, leadership forums and social networking, skills training and mentorship.

She said WOBN seeks to equip women professionals with necessary skills and expertise to serve in corporate leadership positions.