On Tuesday evening, EP and Council negotiators reached a historic deal on the so-called “Women on Boards” Directive that aims to introduce transparent recruitment procedures in EU companies, so that at least 40% of non-executive director posts are occupied by women.

Lead EP negotiators Evelyn Regner (S&D, AT) and Lara Wolters (S&D, NL) as well as European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli will answer journalists’ questions on the agreement.

When: Wednesday 8 May, 9.00-9.30 CEST.

Where: Daphne Caruana Galizia room (WEISS N -1/201), European Parliament in Strasbourg.

How: Accredited media representatives can attend the press conference physically. Journalists wishing to ask questions remotely need to connect via Interactio. The press conference will also be web streamed live and recorded on the Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.

Background

The European Commission first presented its proposal in 2012 and the European Parliament adopted its negotiation position back in 2013. The file was then blocked in the Council for almost a decade, until the Employment and Social Affairs ministers finally agreed on a position last March.

Today, only 30.6% of board members in the EU’s largest publicly listed companies are women, with significant differences among member states (from 45.3% in France to 8.5% in Cyprus).