Female representation on corporate boards and ESG score: Evidence from Latin American firms

In recent years, sustainability issues and female representation have emerged as two of the main topics in the accounting literature. This research aims to bridge this gap by analyzing the effect of board gender diversity on ESG disclosure. The authors based this on a sample of 2,940 annual observations from 205 firms across Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Colombia during the period 2010–2025. Using panel data from 205 listed firms during the period 2010–2025, we find that board gender diversity has a positive and significant effect on all three components of ESG. Our outcomes emphasize the relevance of female representation in encouraging corporate sustainability measures. This research contributes to the limited research on ESG and gender diversity in developing countries, bringing unique insights into the Latin American context, where corporate governance structures and regulatory regimes differ from those of developed countries.