Women make up just 2.2 percent of members of executive boards in Germany’s top 100 companies, a staggeringly small figure. But how should the country tackle the yawning gender gap?
The task of turning the tide is made harder by the fact that the issue straddles the remits of Kristina Schröder, the German minister of family affairs, senior citizens, women and youth, and her predecessor and current Labor Minister Ursula von der Leyen — especially as the two cabinet members have different views on how best to proceed.
The debate revolves around whether to legally force big business to meet quotas of women in senior positions, or whether firms should undertake a transformation in management structure under their own steam. Companies, of course, are against being forced by law to take action, and many in Germany’s ruling coalition government agree. But von der Leyen is strongly in favour of quotas and has been working to bring about new rules — without much success. A meeting in Berlin Wednesday between managers of the 30 firms listed on the DAX share index in Frankfurt and the ministers resulted in a promise from the former that they would set targets to promote more women in top jobs. It was far less than many wanted.
Schröder, meanwhile, is generally opposed to quotas, and is aiming for a middle path. “Quotas are always a supporting crutch, but sometimes they are necessary,” she said. “That’s why I’m suggesting a flexible quota, which the companies agree among themselves, because that’s the way they take much more responsibility for the issue.” More.