called Women on boards and we have been waiting for it for a long time. This is an EU directive that finally establishes the goal of gender equality in boards of directors of listed companies. By 2026, women must hold at least 40% of non-executive director positions or 30% of all director positions.. The decision has been delayed ten years, and now we finally have a horizon of equality to look at.

“All evidence shows that gender equality at the top of companies is not achieved by pure chance”said Lara Walters, MEP for the Socialist Netherlands, who negotiated the new directive with EU governments. This is precisely the point: gender quotas are used to balance out inequalities that would otherwise be unlikely to develop. They begin what they hope will be a virtuous circle. Would we prefer a world without pink quotas? Ideally, yes, but specifically at the moment we need it. “We also know that more diversity in boardrooms leads to better decision making and better outcomes,” Walters said. “These quotas could be a push in the right direction for more equity and diversity in business.”

Once a year, companies will have to submit a report to the competent authorities on the goals they have achieved, and in case of failure, they will have to indicate how they intend to proceed to eliminate the non-compliance. There are also real sanctions for those who do not meet the targets, which must be reached by June 30, 2026.. National authorities will be responsible for the application of the directive and will therefore have the power to impose financial sanctions. On the other hand, national courts will be able to overrule the election to the board of directors if the company breaks the law. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, this is a big step forward: “This is a great day for women in Europe,” she tweeted, “and it is also a great day for companies. Because more diversity means more growth, more innovation.” Let’s face it.