The European Union has taken a significant step toward gender equality in the boardroom with a directive on gender balance that officially came into force at the end of 2024. Announced by the European Commission, the legislation aims to ensure more equitable representation of men and women on corporate boards across member states.

Key Highlights

• The directive mandates that women must make up at least 40% of non-executive directors and 33% of all directors in large European companies.
• Member states were required to adapt their national legislation to align with the directive by December 28, 2024, with companies expected to meet these targets by June 2026.
• The selection processes for board appointments must be transparent, ensuring equal consideration for all candidates. In cases where male and female candidates are equally qualified, the directive stipulates that preference should be given to the woman.
• Unsuccessful candidates can request information about the selection criteria, promoting accountability in the hiring process.
• Companies failing to comply with the directive’s requirements could face fines or even annulment of disputed board appointments.
• EU member states are tasked with maintaining a public registry of companies that achieve these gender balance goals, as well as designating authorities to monitor, promote, and support progress.

The Bigger Picture

Currently, women hold an average of 34% of board positions in the EU. While progress has been steady since 2010, the pace varies significantly across member states, with some seeing stagnation in recent years, according to the European Commission.

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Spotlight on Cyprus

Cyprus is gradually making progress in enhancing gender representation in leadership roles. While the island nation has traditionally faced challenges in achieving gender balance, recent years have seen a growing recognition of the importance of equality in corporate governance.

Currently, women occupy approximately 20% of board positions in major Cypriot companies, with some sectors, such as finance and tourism, showing more noticeable improvements. However, this figure still lags behind the EU average of 34%.

To align with the EU directive, Cyprus is working on implementing transparent board selection processes and promoting policies that encourage women to step into leadership roles. Local initiatives, including mentoring programs and leadership training for women, are gaining traction and aim to address the systemic barriers that have historically limited female participation at the top levels of management.

Cyprus’s progress, though slower compared to some EU nations, reflects a broader cultural and structural shift toward inclusivity. As the EU deadline approaches in 2026, the hope is that Cyprus will achieve significant strides in gender equality, paving the way for more balanced representation in corporate leadership.

Conclusion

The EU’s gender balance directive represents a pivotal step in addressing gender disparities in corporate leadership. By fostering transparency and accountability, these new rules aim to create more inclusive boardrooms and drive meaningful progress in the years ahead.