Women on board: quotas key to success
Norway was the first country to introduce a quota for women on company boards. Since its introduction in 2003, the numbe rof “women on board” has reached 40 per cent as required by law.
While initially other European countries might have shrugged off this policy as yet another progressive and inclusive Scandinavian initiative, the Norwegian experience has since sparked off a Europe-wide debate about quotas and women in leading positions.
Several European countries, Germany being one of them, are debating measures to increase the number of women in leading business positions. The question of whether quota legislation is needed in order to reach this goal is highly contested. Viviane Reding, Vice-Presidentand the EU's Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship has signalled that the EU could also address the issue.
The Norwegian experience reveals that a quota is the key to success.
-Not only does it create the pressure needed for fundamental change but it also triggers a public debate about gender equality issues in wider society, say authors Mari Teigen and Aagoth Storvik.
Aagoth Storvik
The report, Women on Board. The Norwegian Experience., focuses on how the quota came into being, why it was successful and what changes it has set in motion.
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The report