Euro MPs back quotas to get more women into top jobs

Article here. Excerpt:

'The EU Commission wants the proportion of female board members at big companies to rise to 40% by 2020, from the current average of 12%.

The Commission has said it may legislate to make quotas compulsory.

The Euro MPs in Strasbourg also called for EU-wide measures to boost female representation in politics.

Last week the EU's Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding, launched a public consultation to generate initiatives - including possible legislation - aimed at redressing the gender imbalance.

Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain are among the countries that have already introduced gender quotas for companies.'