Ursula's Challenge: Pushing for Female Representation in the European Commission

Ursula von der Leyen, the first female President of the European Commission recently re-elected, has made it clear that gender equality in leadership roles is a priority. But it seems this is a priority for her, but not EU member states.

The statistics tell the deplorable story.

The gender composition of the European Parliament has seen improvement over the last 4 decades, with women holding 42.6% of the seats in the newly elected 2024-2029 term. This marks a notable increase from 39.8% in the previous term, reflecting a total rise of 2.8% over five years. Since the first directly elected European Parliament in 1979, where female representation was only 15.9%, this upward trend is encouraging but far from enough. The European Parliament's gender balance does stand out as being well above member state national parliaments, showcasing a commitment to gender equality. But concerns remain that this progress could be threatened by the rise of far-right parties, which often present less balanced candidate lists.

In contrast, the average representation of women in national parliaments across EU member states stands at approximately 31.6%. Now remember this is the average so there are some really poor and arguably misogynistic laggards. While some countries, like Sweden and France, have achieved over 40% female representation, many others, including Romania and Cyprus, report dreadful figures below 20%. Disgustingly, countries like Hungary and Malta report figures below 15%. This enormous disparity highlights the uneven progress made at the national level compared to the European Parliament.

Despite the implementation of gender quotas in some member states, the overall representation of women in national politics remains clearly insufficient. The need for effective measures to promote gender equality in political decision-making is crucial, as the current statistics reveal that women are still significantly underrepresented in many national parliaments, reflecting broader societal challenges that must be addressed.

But, let's not feel we can rest on any laurels at all. The rises indicated above in the numbers is as compared to 40 years ago!! Progress is glacial, at best. Some member states are more the problem than others. The representation of women varies widely among member states, with some countries achieving over 40% female representation while others fall below 20%. No EU member state has yet achieved a gender balance of 50% or better in its national parliament. Some countries are edging closer, with Sweden leading the way at approximately 47% female representation, and Finland following closely with around 45.5%.

Despite these localised gains, the overall representation of women in political decision-making across the EU remains both deplorable and insufficient, highlighting the need for continued efforts to promote gender equality in all levels of government across Europe.

Women remain significantly underrepresented in key positions within the European Union. This is not merely a numbers game; it reflects deeper issues within political structures that need to be addressed.

Current State of Female Representation

In 2022, women held only 32.3% of cabinet minister positions across the EU. This figure is troubling. It shows that despite advances in gender equality, women still face significant barriers to leadership. The European Commission itself has struggled to achieve gender balance. In recent years, the number of women nominated for key roles has not increased significantly, even with von der Leyen at the helm. The lack of female representation is not just an EU-level problem. It mirrors the situation in many member states where women are frequently side-lined in decision-making processes. Indeed, taking account of all the stats, the EU stands out well ahead of most members states. The data are clear: systemic barriers exist that prevent women from rising to leadership positions, both nationally and within the EU.

If we look at the EU versus the OECD for gender equality indicators, the average performance of EU member states against the OECD gender equality indicators reveals significant disparities in women's representation and overall gender equality. According to the Gender Equality Index, the EU as a whole scored 68.6 out of 100 in 2022, reflecting only a modest improvement of 0.6 points since the previous year. This score indicates that while some progress has been made, it is far from being sufficient to close the gender gap effectively.

Specifically related to political representation:

• On average across OECD countries in 2021, 31.6% of the seats in the lower/single houses of parliament were held by women, compared to 26% almost a decade ago in 2012.

• In 2021, on average across OECD countries, 34% of federal/central government ministerial positions were held by women, an increase of 6 percentage points since 2017.

• The Gender Equality Index, developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) to measure gender gaps over time, shows that the EU as a whole scored 68.6 out of 100 in 2022, reflecting disparities in women's representation in political decision-making positions.

Naturally, while the EU member state average on the Gender Equality Index is lagging, East to West, North to South, massive differences in member state performance exist. Countries like Sweden lead with scores of 83.9, while others, such as Greece, lag behind at 52.6. These figures highlight the urgent need for member states to adopt and adhere to standardised gender equality goals, similar to those set by the OECD, to ensure that all women have equal opportunities in political representation and decision-making processes. Without consistent accountability measures, many member states will continue to fall short in promoting gender equality, perpetuating systemic barriers that hinder women's advancement in leadership roles.

The Importance of Representation

The benefits of having women in leadership roles are well-documented. Organisations with diverse leadership teams tend to make better decisions. They are more likely to consider a wider range of viewpoints and experiences, which can lead to more effective policies. The European Institute for Gender Equality has shown that countries with higher female representation in leadership roles perform better in innumerable metrics, including economic growth and social well-being. This is not just about fairness. It’s about effectiveness. When women are included in decision-making, the outcomes are more comprehensive and beneficial for society as a whole. Yet, the current state of affairs indicates that many member states still do not recognise this reality.

The Role of Member States

The responsibility for increasing female representation does not lie solely with the EU. This is especially in a context where there is a great deal of pushback from member states on anything resembling a "federal" mandate. But member states must take action. Von der Leyen’s call for countries to nominate more women is a step in the right direction, but it requires commitment from national leaders. Many countries have yet to implement policies that promote gender equality in their own political systems. This lack of action perpetuates the cycle of underrepresentation. The disparities highlight that European values as to gender equality are far from uniform. Which means we need to make them uniform! the need for a concerted effort across all member states to prioritise gender equality.

The Need for Proactive Measures

The EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 aims to address these disparities. It includes specific actions to promote women's leadership across various sectors. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives depends entirely on the commitment of member states to implement them. The EU must not only set goals but also hold member states accountable for achieving them. This means establishing clear benchmarks and reporting mechanisms to track progress. Without accountability, initiatives risk becoming mere rhetoric.

Celebrating Female Leaders

Highlighting the achievements of successful female leaders is crucial. Visibility matters. When women see others like them in leadership positions, it can inspire them to pursue similar paths. The Global Gender Gap Report indicates that no country in Europe achieved gender parity in business management in 2020. This is a wake-up call. Women need role models who have navigated the challenges of leadership. Celebrating these achievements attack stereotypes and encourage more women to seek leadership positions. It’s not enough to simply talk about the problem; action is needed to create an environment where women can thrive.

Legislative Efforts

The EU has made some progress in promoting gender equality through legislative efforts. The Directive on Gender Balance in Corporate Boards is a legislative initiative adopted by the European Union aimed at improving the representation of women in leadership positions within listed companies. Officially known as Directive (EU) 2022/2381, it sets ambitious targets requiring that by mid-2026, at least 40% of non-executive directors or 33% of all board members in listed companies be from the underrepresented sex. This directive seeks to address the significant gender imbalance that exists in corporate decision-making, where women are vastly outnumbered by men.

However, corporate questions are one thing. Political representation entirely another, and no legislation speaks to this. And even if they did, legislative measures alone are not enough. They must be accompanied by cultural change. Societal attitudes toward women in leadership roles must shift. This requires education and awareness campaigns that challenge stereotypes and promote the value of diversity in leadership.

The Path Forward

Addressing comprehensively the gender gap in EU leadership means coming at it from several directions. I say the EU should establish clear benchmarks and reporting mechanisms to hold member states accountable for achieving gender equality in political leadership. Currently, there are no binding standards requiring member states to meet specific targets for women's representation in national parliaments, despite the existence of OECD gender equality indicators in this area. Instituting such requirements, similar to the Istanbul Convention's standards for combating violence against women, would send a strong signal that gender parity in decision-making is a priority for EU accession and membership.

Failing to meet gender equality goals should even result in sanctions or loss of voting rights, as with the EU's rule of law mechanism. If we don't do such things, we are not showing we take gender equality seriously. Well, do we?

The actions we take betray the priority we attach to gender equality.

Establishing uniform, Europe-wide standards would ensure that all women across the EU have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process, regardless of which country they live in. Linking gender equality in politics to core EU values and the accession process would provide a powerful incentive for member states to prioritise women's leadership and make meaningful progress towards parity.

Let me go a step further and say the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) - where decisions are made about where EU money goes - should have EU values and upholding standards taken into account. A member state should be denied certain funds, e.g. regional development funds, unless they are meeting EU standards. This makes sense for democracy, why does it not make sense for gender equality? We see talk of limiting EU funds to Hungary for its abuses of democracy. Why not for gender equality? Triggering the hip pocket nerve is the only proven way of getting member states to respond on values.

Without such accountability measures, the EU risks perpetuating the uneven and inadequate representation of women in national parliaments that persists today.

Changing this situation, like all gender equality questions, involves systemic changes at both the EU and national levels. Member states must prioritise gender equality in their political systems and actively promote women to leadership roles. Organisations across Europe need to implement policies that support women's advancement. This includes mentorship programs, flexible work arrangements, and training opportunities aimed at preparing women for leadership positions. The EU can play a crucial role in facilitating these changes by providing resources and support to member states. It can also promote best practices from countries that have successfully increased female representation in leadership roles.

The struggle for gender parity, of the sort we see championed by von der Leyen in the European Commission, reflects a larger issue within society. Decisive action is long overdue.

Talk is both cheap and weak. Acting our values is needed.

Women are still fighting for their place at the decision-making table. This is not just a women’s issue; it’s a societal issue. When women are underrepresented in leadership, everyone loses. The time for action is now. The EU and its member states must commit to meaningful change. If not member state, then who? This involves not only setting goals but also holding themselves accountable for achieving them. The future of European leadership depends on it. Women deserve a seat at the table, and it is time for political structures to reflect this reality.

References

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