Norway vs. the Glass Ceiling

Women could soon find themselves much more at home in boardrooms across Norway. Part of a legislative trend spreading across Europe, at summer's end Norway's parliament is expected to reconfigure the sex ratio of corporate boardrooms so that women will occupy 40 percent of board seats by 2007. The bill is drawing concern from domestic business groups but arrives at a time when the European Union is increasingly focused on women's rights. Most recently, European commissioner for employment and social affairs Anna Diamantopoulou caused widespread debate by proposing a law that would ban sexual discrimination in the media, advertising, tax policy, and insurance costs. However, whereas Diamantopoulou's proposal will likely be toned down due to vocal protests from business interests, Norwegian officials appear likely to insist that the bill is simply part of a continuum toward equality. Still, domestic corporate groups worry about the legislation's fairness and economic consequences. "Norway will not be as attractive to investors if we have special laws that are different than laws in other countries," one business trade group official said. "This political involvement in business – foreign investors will not like it. Norwegian investors do not like it." – YaleGlobal

Norway vs. the Glass Ceiling

Lizette Alvarez
Monday, July 14, 2003

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