Vigeo Eiris reviews the level of female representation at Board and Executive levels for almost 4,000 listed companies worldwide...

The purpose of the rating is to measure the level to which companies and their senior management integrate specific commitments into their strategy and operations, in order to prevent discrimination towards women and promoting equal rights and gender equality in senior management, governance, remuneration, working conditions and labour relations.

Whilst the issue of gender equality has gained visibility as part of the commitments published in company codes of conduct, inequality is still rife and limited information is available on the steps taken to reduce them. In many cases, the issue of gender equality leads to gender-washing rather than effective social responsibility...

With less than 20% female representation at senior management level in 2016, it appears that company governance is still considered men's business. The principles of non-discrimination and gender equality are slowly progressing, mostly in Europe and North America, but progress remains limited in the rest of the world.

[Refers to: CYBG, Kering, Fortescue Metals Group, Macy's Inc, Norsk Hydro, Rexel, Sa Sa International Holdings, Shutterfly, Sparebank 1 SR Bank, TGS-Nopec Geophysical, Unilever, Woolworths, Catholic Health Initiative, L'Oreal, Avon Products Inc, CGG, Banca Generali, Cable One, Christian Dior, Next, Nordstrom, L'Oreal, Sa Sa International Holdings, Imperial Holdings, Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, Wolters Kluwer CVA, Lansforsakringar Bank, Oesterreichische Kontrollbank, XL Axiata, OP Financial Group, Northrop Grumman, Alibaba Group Holding, Spirit Aerosystems, Puget Energy, Galenica, SBM Offshore, NYU Hospitals Center, Michael Kors Holdings Limited, Gaztransport et Technigaz SA, Enbridge Income Fund Holdings.]