France May Force Gender Equality on Boards
December 3, 2009
by The New Agenda
|The Guardian reporting:
Nicolas Sarkozy’s centre-right party has put forward legislation that would see women make up half the figures in France’s leading boardrooms by 2015, under a bold plan to impose gender equality on the male-dominated business world.
In a bill submitted to the French parliament this week, all companies listed on the Paris stock exchange would have to ensure female employees made up 50% of their board members by 2015. If passed, a gradual implementation of the law would see businesses obliged to have women in 20% of board seats within 18 months, and 40% within four years.
Daily Beast reports:
A leader of the majority party, UMP, said that the law would provide a “much-needed electro-shock” to France’s corporation. The changes would be incremental, requiring board seats to be 20 percent female in 18 months and 40 percent within four years. One conservative business leader said his group would support the legislation calling quotas a “necessary evil.”
We’ll be watching closely. This could be a big step towards equality in France.
If they do it and it works out, we’ll hear the regular chorus of horror in this country about how successful business strategies and equality are communist or fascist or something …
…and Valerie Jarrett and the WH Council on Women and Girls are where, exactly??
Once again, Europe leads the way…
Very impressive and surprising. Thanks for informing us about this!
France used to have a declining birth rate with an average of less than 2 kids per couple. This has sparked politicians to think how to incite women to have children. guarantees for a family friendly workplace were part of that agenda. the new plans may be related.
I am skeptical and don’t think that any progress from Europe would be a model for US.
Maybe a few women on corporate boards could put a stop to this idiotic sexist advertising. Do you find this motivating you to by Reebok? I know I don’t. http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/n.....reebok.asp
http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/n.....reebok.asp
OK I hope this works!
Sorry the above link just doesn’t work but since Parents Television Council is Republican I know most of you don’t read it so here is another little blurb from their news letter regarding stupid advertising which IMO would end if women were actually on corporate boards. You all can subscribe to their news E-mail if interested. You will find it has more feminist media articles than anything you get from NOW.
“Victoria’s Secret Special Flops Again
Every December, CBS insists on running the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in prime time…and every December, the program dives lower in the ratings. Last year, the special was crushed by a rerun of the Christmas classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This year, viewership plunged 19% as families chose to watch NBC’s reality program The Biggest Loser instead. Maybe some day, CBS will realize that — especially at Christmas –audiences want family entertainment, not a glorified underwear commercial.”
Excerpts from Reebok PTC ad article.
“In a world where women and girls – especially teenagers – are under tremendous pressure to consume fashion items and are treated as sex objects by advertising and entertainment alike, it is the height of disrespect for Reebok to focus on women’s anatomy as a way to sell shoes. And many alienated customers have responded to the campaign; in the comments section of the ad’s YouTube video, reactions included, “Commercials and products like this only make it harder for women to be seen as anything more than a sexual fantasy,” “I felt like I was watching porn instead of a commercial,” and “Reebok thought this would appeal to women?”
“And in a disconnect this ad’s misogynistic focus renders grotesque, Reebok has also pledged to help battle breast cancer. Unfortunately, simply affixing a pink ribbon logo to its products does not absolve Reebok of the degrading sexism it practices in its commercials. In this ad, breasts and bottom are focused on relentlessly, but a woman’s face is never seen. Clearly, Reebok doesn’t view women as human beings, merely as objects…like a pair of shoes.”
I am very happy about this and I am excited to see it put in action! Countries across the world are continuing to make us look like neanderthalic cave dwellers.
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The New Agenda is a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls by bringing about systemic change in the media, at the workplace, at school and at home. More...