European Parliament Backs Quotas for Women in Non-Executive Board Seats

Article here. Excerpt:

'Listed companies in the European Union must work toward a 40 percent quota for women in non-executive board positions by the year 2020, according to legislation approved by European Parliament last week.
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According to parliament's figures, only 17.6 percent of non-executive board member seats are held by women in 2013. Under the new rule, listed companies must take effective and binding steps to ensure equal access to non-executive board positions. While qualifications and merit remain the primary criteria, preference must go to the woman candidate when candidates of equal qualifications are presented.'