En el debate sobre
la presencia femenina en los Consejos, la atención se concentra en las medidas
que pueda adoptar la Comisión Europea ante lo que considera un fracaso de la
iniciativa de las empresas europeas a la hora de satisfacer voluntariamente un
mayor nivel de presencia de mujeres en sus consejos de administración. Por ello
me parece interesante recoger la posición
expresada hace pocos días, en una comparecencia pública, por la Vicepresidenta
Viviane Reding.
Parece que, a
pesar de la resistencia de no pocos Estados miembros a que se proceda a poner
en marcha una iniciativa legislativa europea, la Vicepresidenta Reding y la
Comisión mantienen su plan normativo, como resume el párrafo final de su
intervención:
“At the moment, we
discuss internally in the Commission to finalise our proposal for improving
gender balance on company boards. I am not alone in this battle: all the
European Commissioners with a relevant economic portfolio have joined me in
this battle: Antonio Tajani (Commissioner for Industry and Enterpreneuship),
Olli Rehn (Economic and Monetary Affairs and the EuroAffairs), Michel Barnier
(Internal Market and Services) and Lazslo Andor (Employment, Social Affairs and
Inclusion) will present this proposal with me. I am confident you will see
the final result in the months to come. For those who say that an EU
instrument would mean discrimination of better qualified men I say: do not
fear. I can assure you that our proposal will observe the highest fundamental
rights standards as set out in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Qualification
and merit will remain key criteria for a job on the board. If no equally
qualified candidate from the underrepresented sex is available, a sort of
'flexibility clause' will solve the problem. All we are asking for is this:
Women must be given the same opportunities as men to get their rightful place
on boards. In times of economic difficulties, we cannot waste talent”.
Madrid, 10 de octubre de 2012
