Taina Bofferding, the Minister of Equality between Women and Men, and Etienne Schneider brought it to the point. The board of directors for public institutions are currently made up of 40% women representatives. Compared to 4 years ago, women only made up 30%. Taina Bofferding sees this as a big success.
When looking at the board of director for public institutions as a whole, 34,96% more women are involved in the decision-making.
Companies can boast a similar evolution, as 30% of the representatives of the government are women.
2014 the previous government had vouched to actively work on equal opportunities an equal representation of women in decision-making areas. The goal they wanted to reach was 40%.
According to the Minister of Equality, the women's quota can be effective but by far not a miracle solution. Still it helps to break traditions. Despite the success the government does not want to stop here, and decided to further push the agenda.
Even in the private sector progress needs to be, especially in higher positions.
This news comes, despite a recent report from Eurostat that finds Luxembourg is significantly behind in terms of female managerial roles, read that article here.
Gender Equality on Boards: Government welcomes successful goal of 40%
Statement by: Ministry of Equality between Women and Men / Ministry of Economy
On Friday 8. February, the Minister for Equality between Women and Men, Taina Bofferding, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, Etienne Schneider, presented the results of the recent interim review of the government's efforts to gender equality in decision-making bodies.
"It's a notable success. For the first time, the bar of 40% of women representing the state in the boards of directors of public institutions has been crossed," said the ministers.
The previous government had committed in the fall of 2014 to intervene systematically to promote better representation of the underrepresented sex in decision-making bodies. And this, in public institutions and societies in which the state is represented. The clear, quantifiable and measurable goal has been set at 40% mandates for the under-represented sex by 2019. In concrete terms, the recent interim review shows that:
• The rate of women representing the State in decision-making bodies of public establishments is now 40.19% (against 30.34% in January 2015)
• The total rate of women on the boards of public institutions, including those representing other partners, reached 34.69% (compared to 27.41% in January 2015)
"This 40% goal reinforced the discussion on the profile of directors. It is an effective way to change mentalities. Admittedly, quotas are not a quick fix, but they can help to overcome the weight of tradition, "said the Minister of Equality between Women and Men.
For companies, the balance sheet shows an increase of six percentage points to settle at a rate of 30.58% of women representing the state. As the ministers explained, vacancies are not only determined by the government but also by other actors such as representatives of municipalities, regional unions or social partners.
Ministers Taina Bofferding and Etienne Schneider have reiterated the will to continue efforts. They invite all actors to work together to achieve a better balance.
