Catalyst presents the results of a Credit Suisse report looking at over 3,000 companies globally. The numbers suggest that on global average, women held 14.7% of board seats in 2015. There is also discussion of sector variations, the benefits of gender-balanced boards, and a brief breakdown of certain countries and regions.
Women on Boards: Global Trends in Gender Diversity on Corporate Boards
Research conducted for this report state that companies with women in strong leadership positions generate a return on equity of 10.1% per year vs. 7.4% without. The MSCI uses this business case to make the argument that quotas are necessary to reach the goal of 30% female representation in a timely manner.