Large corporations should have a mandatory women's quota for their boards. As long as they can still get away with butter-soft targets, far too little will change.
Research by the Social and Economic Council (SER) shows that a quota makes sense: there is a mandatory quota for supervisory boards. There, the number of women is growing much faster than among board members.
A broad perspective is desperately needed, especially on issues that have a major social impact, such as energy transition. Diversity from the entire top layer of the business community helps to get a picture of all the nuances and implications of such a transition. It affects everyone, so it stands to reason that the top should be a good reflection of society.
Voiding an appointment when the quota has not been met is a horseshit, but necessary because this problem is so intractable. This should apply not only to commissioners but also to directors and the layer below.
The Growth Quota and Targets Act introduced in 2022 assumes "comply or explain" for governance. That gives far too much room to get stuck in the status quo. In business, it's simple: what's important gets a target. Without a target, no action. A mandatory women's quota fits that line perfectly.
Source: Windkracht 5
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