Working Paper on the Quota-instrument

On 26 April 2010 the European Commission’s Network to promote Women in Decision-making in Politics and the Economy discussed the effectiveness of the use of quotas as an instrument to increase the representation of women at decision-making levels in politics and the economy. The discussion concentrated on the situation in parliaments, governments and large corporations. The use of quotas at other levels of power (regional, local) and other institutions in the European Union was not addressed.

AFAEMME’s President and the other members of the Network have realized a Working Paper on the Quota-instrument in order to present the main results of the discussion, to highlight good practices and to provide reference materials in order to contribute to the ongoing debate.

The addressed issue is so important because although women’s participation in the European labour market is at a historically high level reaching almost 60%, the situation between countries differs and women remain seriously under-represented in decision-making positions in politics and in the corporate sector, in particular in corporate boardrooms.

To read the full working paper please visit the EC’s website about gender balance in decision-making (http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/gender-decision-making/index_en.htm) and go strait to the information about the meetings of the Network to promote Women in Decision-making in Politics and the Economy.