Philippine businesses continue to make strides in gender diversity, ranking third globally in the percentage of women in senior management positions, according to Grant Thornton’s latest Women in Business report.
It said that in 2025, 43 percent of senior roles in the country are held by women—a slight dip from last year’s 43.1 percent, but still among the highest worldwide.
P&A Grant Thornton said despite this progress, true gender parity in the workplace remains a distant goal.
“It’s disheartening to think we might miss out on another generation of female leaders. While we acknowledge the progress made, there is still much to do. We must intensify efforts to achieve parity well before 2051, aligning with Grant Thornton International’s goals,” said P&A Grant Thornton chairman and managing partner Romualdo Murcia III.
About 85 percent of Philippine businesses report offering equal pay for the same role, regardless of gender, while the remaining 15 percent aim to achieve this within the next five years, a slightly better outlook compared to the ASEAN average of 83.1 percent.
Only 3.4 percent of businesses in the country report having no women in senior management, signaling a shift in leadership representation.
The report noted that for sustained progress, companies should go beyond merely promoting women into leadership roles.
Clear targets should be set, not just for overall representation but for specific executive positions, ensuring women receive the mentorship and support necessary to thrive, it said.
Globally, key gender diversity initiatives—such as mentoring at 26 percent, retention at 25.8 percent and networking at 25.3 percent—remain among the least prioritized by businesses.
Philippine companies have significantly ramped up their focus on parental support at 66.7 percent; executive bonuses, 65.7 percent; and mentoring, 59 percent over the past year.
The trend reflects the country’s cultural emphasis on family support and the growing recognition of structured mentorship programs in leadership development.
External pressures also play a crucial role in driving gender balance in Philippine businesses.
More than half, or 54.5 percent, of firms cite potential new clients as a key factor motivating them to improve gender diversity. Potential investors are next at 48.9 percent, followed by partner organizations at 43.2 percent.