The German parliament, after much debate, has decided not to impose gender quotas in business. What is the situation of women in the EU labour market? What obstacles do they face? Are quotas in business a solution?
by Agata de Latour
Interview with Isabella
Lenarduzzi, Founder and Director of Jump, a company dedicated to empowering women
in the workplace
Agata de Latour: What
are the obstacles to empowering women in the workplace and especially in business?
Isabella Lenarduzzi: Women at work face the ‘glass ceiling’, but
also the ‘sticky floor’. We now make up almost 60% of new graduates. But at the
top level, only 2% of women are chief executive officers (CEOs). At the same
time, these role models didn’t exist at all 20 years ago – so this is a great step forward.
Do you think quotas are a
good method to empower women?
At present quotas in business deal only with
boards, which are not at the executive level and don’t have much influence on day-to-day
management. But of course quotas are symbolically important. Women can thus be inspired
to rise higher.
Why did the German
parliament, which includes some women, refuse quotas?
Many women in decision-making positions have adapted
to male culture, and are not aware of the daily difficulties that most women
face.
Commission Vice-President
Viviane Reding proposed last year 40% female representation on boards in big
European companies. What other methods can be used to achieve gender balance?
All the discussions around quotas really help to
raise awareness. Having binding regulations on quotas, on equal salaries, on ensuring
women at the top of administration in public companies is very important as it serves
as an example to the private sector.
What are the benefits of
gender diversity?
Lots of research shows that diversity means better
management and performance. Having equal male/female participation in the economy
raises GDP by more than 20%. In times of economic crisis, we should consider equality
more – it can really enhance growth.
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