Equality Win: More Women Leaders in the Workplace

Gender quotas will be imposed on all 27 state members of the European Union so women will make up at least 40% of seats on large companies’ boards by mid-2026. A decision meant to change top-down structures in the workplace and allow competent women access to leadership positions.

“Diversity is not only a matter of fairness,” says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “It also drives growth and innovation. The business case for having more women in leadership is clear. There are plenty of women qualified for top jobs: they should be able to get them”.

Across the EU, women occupy 30.6% of board positions but with large discrepancies – Cyprus only has 8.5% and France more than 45%. Companies with at least 250 employees will have to comply with the new directive of having at least 40% of non-executive director posts, or 33% of executive and non-executive roles combined, held by women. On an annual basis, companies will inform the competent authorities about their board’s gender representation, and should the objectives not be met, how they plan on achieving them.