**7. Conclusion**

The recent crisis highlighted not just the inherent issues with quick-return investments, but also underscored the importance of a long-term investment perspective. Growing business pressure, along with corporations' desire to do better in terms of ethical and CSR, has propelled the topic to the top of board agendas.

Prior research suggests the presence of gender-inclusive leadership is associated with higher levels of charitable giving and increased CSR, as well as growth in other aspects of CSR, such as environmental CSR. Female leaders are more likely to be participatory, democratic, and communal in their leadership style, as well as more concerned about the environment. As a result, female directors may contribute to the firm's value in terms of environmental protection. Simultaneously, board gender diversity sends a favorable signal to stakeholders that the firm values social diversity in its governance (for e.g. see [18, 25, 26]). In addition, board diversity is likely to improve stakeholder management by influencing organizational goals, emphasizing the interests of a diverse range of stakeholders and providing organizations with appropriate expertise to help them manage these interests [44]. In short, the presence of female director enhances CSR.

Nevertheless, some researchers do not support such a relationship [10]. A potential explanation for this inconsistent viewpoint is that not all female directors produce a homogeneous effect among the CSR dimensions. Female directors' influence on CSR may also be affected by culture [59, 60], industries [47, 62], ownership structure [68, 69, 73] and director's specific characters [75, 76]. Lastly, some researchers also suggest that at least three female directors must participate on board is necessary before sufficient authority may be exerted over board activities and significantly alter board dynamics and procedures [21, 30].

In short, the chapter emphasizes the importance of gender equality, particularly in positions of female leadership. Active participation and decision making by women in the business world is critical for firms' long-term success and CSR, which is the primary driver of sustainability. The hurdles to women's participation in leadership roles and board membership remain. The benefits of female directors are more prevalence when abilities, skills, and viewpoints of women are welcomed and valued in the boardroom. Nonetheless, while it is critical for corporations to increase gender equality by nominating more female directors, policymakers, and organizations must also consider the quality of potential female board members as well as the environmental context in which businesses operate.
