GENEVA, Switzerland (CMC) — A new study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has found that Jamaica has the highest proportion of women managers, globally, ahead of countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

The study also found that while women are still under-represented in top management, the number of women in senior and middle management positions has increased over the last 20 years.

The study entitled 'Women in Business and Management, Gaining Momentum', found that the proportion of women managers in Jamaica stood at 59.3 per cent, while Yemen has the least with 2.1 per cent.

The US is ranked 15th in the list of 108 countries with 42.7 per cent women managers, while the United Kingdom is at 41st with 34.2 per cent, and the Russian Federation holds the 25th place (39.1 per cent).

Colombia holds the second place at the global level and ranks first in Latin America, followed by Panama in fifth place.

The report presents the findings of a 2013 ILO survey of over 1,200 companies in Africa, Asia and Pacific, Eastern and Central Europe and Latin American and the Caribbean, focusing on measures and initiatives to advance women in management. The survey was carried out with the assistance of national employers' organisations in 39 countries.

"Our research is showing that women's ever-increasing participation in the labour market has been the biggest engine of global growth and competitiveness," says Deborah France-Massin, director of the ILO Bureau for Employers' Activities.

"An increasing number of studies are also demonstrating positive links between women's participation in top decision- making teams and structures and business performance. But there is a long way to go before we achieve true gender equality in the workplace, especially when it comes to top management positions," she added.

The study released here yesterday, showed that only five per cent or less of the chief executive officers of the world's largest corporations are women. It noted that the larger the company, the less likely the head will be a woman.

"All-male company boards are still common, but are decreasing in number, with women attaining 20 per cent or more of all board seats in a handful of countries. A global survey quoted in the study shows that Norway has the highest global proportion of companies (13.3 per cent) with a woman as company board chairperson, followed by Turkey (11.1 per cent)," said the study.

France-Massin said it critical for more women to reach senior management positions in strategic areas to build a pool of potential candidates for top jobs such as CEO or company presidents.

"However, 'glass walls' still exist with the concentration of women in certain types of management functions like HR, communications and administration," she added.

The study found that, at present, women own and manage over 30 per cent of all businesses, but they are more likely to be found in micro and small enterprises.

"Getting more women to grow their businesses is not only critical for equality but also for national development," the study noted, providing statistics on women in management and in business for most countries from all regions and at all levels of development.

It also contains data on the gender pay gap at management and lower levels, as well as statistics on women's achievements in education. The study also identifies the growing momentum building around the world to advance women to higher levels of management and lists a selection of the numerous initiatives from various sectors.

The study also provided recommendations to close the remaining gender gap including seeking "flexible solutions" to manage work and family time commitments as an alternative to being subject to special treatment or quotas.