Decisive EU action on gender equality?
Binding legislation is the way forward.
As Hilde Bjørkhaug and Siri Øyslebø Sørensen commented in their opinion piece last week (“Why gender quotas are necessary”, 8-14 March), there is only one way forward if the European Commission is serious about reaching 40% of women on boards of European companies by 2020: binding legislation.
Norway’s experience is corroborated by the findings of European Women’s Lobby’s progress report on women on boards, published on 29 February, and by the Commission’s latest analysis. (Most progress towards parity over the past year has been made in France, where quota legislation accompanied by sanctions was introduced last year.)
The commitments made by Viviane Reding, the European commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, to a more equal representation of women and men on the boards of European companies have attracted more media attention than any other gender-equality issue in recent years.
Given that publicity and the evidence, it will be difficult for the Commission to back down without losing face. A failure to take action would also result in a loss of credibility in the eyes not just of women, but of men: 75% of Europeans favour quotas, according to a Eurobarometer survey.
Introducing EU legislation for more equality in the highest sphere of economic decision-making would have both a concrete and a symbolic impact. However, it is only one part of the equation, and action to promote equality between women and men is even more important in times of crisis, both points made in your editorial (“Growth requires more women in EU’s workforce”, 8-14 March). The EU’s now much-expected move to bring a better gender balance to boardrooms is not an excuse for doing nothing else for equality.
The Commission must show that it is equally determined to address the problems faced by the many women who are not in the position to be nominated on boards – even if solving their problems will attract less media attention and require complex strategies and resources.
At the moment, such determination is not evident. Despite promises and persistent calls by the European Parliament, a strong EU initiative to combat violence against women is nowhere in sight.
If the Commission’s proposals for the EU funding programmes for the next seven-year period are approved, less attention and less money would be devoted to gender-equality policies. Under these proposals, there would be neither predictable, earmarked funding for activities such as projects, studies and campaigns to promote equality between women and men, nor an independent EU programme to combat violence against women.
Finally, the EU institutions are making no progress with revisions to the maternity-leave directive, which, according to the position of the European Parliament, should be extended from 14 to 20 weeks with full pay guaranteed. This is legislation that would have an immediate impact on the daily lives of millions of women.
Brigitte Triems
President, European Women’s Lobby
Brussels