Gender balance among non‑executive directors of companies listed on stock ex‑ changes as an aim of EU legislative action

Currently, there is a large disparity between the proportion of women who are employed and well educated and those who sit on corporate boards in the EU. This poses a great challenge for the EU and its Member States. This disparity should be significantly reduced because it is mandated by the EU fundamental right of equality between women and men (Article 23 of the Charter) and by the need for democratic legitimisation of the EU and of its economic governance (Articles 2 and 3(3) TEU). The proposal for a directive on gender equality on boards of listed companies is a legislative solution that should be further developed and improved