According to the latest data released about workplace equality, the total number of women holding senior management positions has fallen across New Zealand, which was once a leader in the having the most women in leading positions.

Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR), which was released on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, showed that the total number of women in senior managerial positions across the country has fallen to 28 per cent.

Experts say that there trend is worrying as the country is recording a decline in recent times as against improvement in other parts of the world.

Stacey Davies, partner, Grant Thornton New Zealand warned that the country is going backwards in the gender equality at workplace. “Last year we were ranked 10th out of 40 countries surveyed and this year we have dropped to
17th out of 44 countries. During that time the global average has grown from 21% to 24%.

We peaked at 32% in 2011. And from the other statistics revealed in the survey, New Zealand appears likely to slip further down the table over the next 12 months,” she said.

The data also showed that the total global average improved form 21 per cent to 24 per cent during the previous year.