Boosting Gender Equality Through ADB Trade Finance Partnerships

This study presents the results of the ADB Trade Finance Program's gender audit of partner banks and highlights recommendations to empower women to advance their careers and promote institutional gender equality.

In the Asia and Pacific region, despite some progress, women’s share in senior management in the public and private sectors is still poor. Unless impediments to women’s labor force participation and promotion opportunities are removed, the region stands to lose considerably. Closing the gender gap in leadership leads to better business and financial outcomes. This study, co-funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, investigates how women are faring in the private banking sector and what can be done to promote their participation and leadership. It provides specific and practical recommendations to partner banks to advance the objective of attracting, retaining, and promoting more women in banking.