Sant backs EU 'Women on Boards' directive

Labour MEP Alfred Sant said he advocated the proposal not only for economic reasons but because he believes it helps develop the potential of society, businesses and governments

3 December 2015, 10:45am

2 min read

Maltese MEP Alfred Sant spoke in favour of the proposed 'women-on-boards directive', in a written vote of explanation at the European Parliament in Brussels. Sant was commenting on the debate ‘Gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges’.

In November 2012, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Directive improving the gender balance among non-executive managers of companies listed on stock exchange commonly known as Women on Boards. This was the result of a longstanding demand from Parliament asking the Commission to take action and propose a gender quota of 40% by 2020, the so called "procedural quota".

Sant said he advocated this proposal not only for economic reasons. “It does not make sense for any corporation to utilise in its production only half of the machines it has available.

"This applies for mechanical as well as for human "machines". Women were excluded from operational and decision-making posts for ideological reasons. These acted as barriers to entry that inhibited the full development of productive potential in societies, firms and governments.”

Sant said that quotas were the tool to overcome this barrier. "Once equality of gender opportunity and its effective implementation are ensured, chances for an improvement in productivity are improved. Gender quotas automatically become archive material. They have been effective at operational levels. They will be equally so for executive, decision-making positions. ‘I speak from experience."

Sant said that in Malta, the Labour Party introduced quotas for women in elections to the general conference and the national executive. Within fifteen years, quotas were no longer needed. Gender parity was being automatically achieved, via the "normal" electoral process for these institutions. There was a clear improvement in their functioning. "However we did not introduce quotas in the party bureau, a mistake. Dominated by men, its effectiveness remained open to question," remarked Sant.