Most of the country’s top 200 companies have developed an effective gender diversity policy, or plain to implement one in the near future, according to a recent report released by the ASX.

The report, conducted by KPMG, analysed compliance of 600 ASX-listed companies with the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s gender diversity Principles and Recommendations, which were first introduced in 2011.

Ms Jillian Segal, non-executive director of ASX Limited said: “The findings show that there is a strong commitment to report on gender diversity among the vast majority of listed companies.

“Notably, Australia’s top 200 listed companies are setting a strong example with almost all of them reporting that they have diversity policies in place. Smaller listed companies that do not have policies in place indicated that their size and stage of development was a barrier to establishing a diversity policy.”

Mr Kevin Lewis, ASX Chief Compliance Officer said: “The framework provides a consistent set of criteria for listed entities to report on, while allowing those companies which do not adopt the recommendations to explain their reasons”.

The report notes that the next steps would be to improve the quality of disclosure by listed companies. This issue will be examined this year as part of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s review of the Principles and Recommendations.