The EU is currently working on legislation to introduce "the underrepresented sex" quotas (30%) for public company boards. Nine countries have already indicated they will block this law (UK, Denmark, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta), and if they do, it will be filed into a drawer. Germany has so far remained silent, but agrees with this group of nine (the family and justice ministers, both female, are against regulated female quotas).
I'm a big fan of mixing sexes in any scenario, be it school, work, or hobbies. Start from kindergarden: I have always been so happy whenever my kids have not only female caretakers, but also men (unfortunately only rarely). Especially in the cases where dads work long hours or are away on trips a lot, when else are kids supposed to experience male role models? Move to work: I have been amazed (more inspired than stunned) by some female colleagues and the passion and expertise they can bring to their work.
A quota is, for me, more about principle than practice. It is like affirmative action, which may appear to have downsides (the original pool may not initially be the "top 1%" in the sense defined by the majority group). But it does three things. 1) It opens up opportunities; it literally breaks through glass ceilings ("A man as a kindergarden teacher? Wow, he's actually great! More of those, please.") 2) It can be a door to changing criteria and processes (e.g. making board meeting times more compatible with family needs, as moms may demand this faster than dads would). 3) It makes things more "colorful" (ever been the only woman in a room with 100 men in dark suits? I have.)
P.s. Thanks to all of you who send me comments via email. I know it is difficult via blogger, but I cherish every message, even if it's just a "thanks" or "oh, dear, you really should read a, b, and c before you write about this".
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