Gender diversity as a catalyst: enhancing corporate governance and environmental disclosures in Namibia

Purpose Drawing on a multi-theoretical framework that integrates stakeholder, resource dependence and gender difference theories, this study aims to investigate the mediating role of board gender diversity in the relationship between corporate governance and environmental disclosure. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative research design using a data set of 273 financial statements from 2017–2023, sourced from listed companies in Namibia via the Bloomberg database. The mediation analysis uses the established Baron and Kenny (1986) method, providing deeper insights into the mediating role of board gender diversity in the relationship between corporate governance and environmental disclosure practices. A two-step system generalised method of moments estimator is used to address potential endogeneity, and bootstrapping is used to validate the significance of the mediation effect. Findings The mediation analysis reveals that board gender diversity serves as a significant partial mediator in the relationship between corporate governance and environmental disclosure. While the direct effect of governance remains strong and dominant, the presence of women on boards acts as a critical conduit that reinforces the influence of structural governance on environmental disclosure. Originality/value This study highlights how board gender diversity mediates the relationship between corporate governance and environmental disclosure, emphasising the interplay among stakeholder theory, resource dependence and gender-difference perspectives under institutional pressures such as the NamCode and the zebra quota system.