The National Assembly examines on Wednesday a bill aimed at feminizing the governing bodies of large French companies.

A quota of 30% of women in these positions could be introduced.

This law would slowly change the landscape of groups of more than 1,000 people, today almost exclusively led by men. 

ANALYSIS

Getting a little closer to parity in business.

This is the purpose of this bill presented Wednesday to the Social Affairs Commission of the National Assembly.

It aims to establish a minimum quota of 30% of women in all governing bodies of groups with more than 1,000 employees.

A small revolution in this very masculine environment.

Feminize all levels of business

The quota method has proved its worth.

Ten years ago, the Copé-Zimmermann law imposed a minimum of 40% of women on boards of directors.

And it worked: before this law, only 8.5% of women were members, today they exceed 40% in the 120 largest French companies.

In Switzerland and Spain, without quotas, 80% of men sit on boards of directors.

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This new bill, carried by the member for Essonne Marie-Pierre Rixain (LREM), targets all executive levels of large companies.

Concretely, it is a question of finance departments, human resources, purchasing and marketing managers, managers of divisions, subsidiaries, branches, etc.

Catherine MacGregor, the only woman at the head of a CAC 40 company

These possible changes do not appeal to everyone.

And the discussion in the Assembly promises to be lively.

A part of the employers is wind up, in particular because of the financial sanctions envisaged in the event of non-respect of these quotas.

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By 2030, with this law, there could be 40% of women in the top 10% of the hierarchy of companies with more than 1,000 employees. In all these chieftaincy functions ultimately lies the real power. And this one remains overwhelmingly masculine. Only one woman is at the helm of a CAC 40 group: Catherine MacGregor at Engie. It is time for her to feel less alone.