Spanish government approves 'pioneering' gender parity in politics and business bill

The Spanish government has approved a "pioneering" bill promoting gender parity in politics and business, as was announced in a press conference following the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the day before International Women's Day.

The bill, which will now have to be approved by lawmakers, establishes that at least 40% of board members in large private businesses, cabinet members, and professional association governing bodies will have to be women.

It also states that 40% of public awards jury members must be women and it increases the share of female candidates on electoral lists. At the moment, two out of every five candidates on electoral lists have to be women, but this new bill states that every other one will have to be. 

"This helps us break the glass ceiling in both the private and public sphere," Spain's first deputy prime minister Nadia Calviño said, arguing that it helps Spain "take 100% advantage of female talent and leads to more sustainable growth."

If passed by lawmakers, Spain will become one of the first European countries with gender quotas in business and politics.

These will apply, if approved, to all listed companies by July 1, 2024, and non-listed companies with over 250 workers and a €50m annual turnover two years later. 

"If women make up half of the population, they should make up half of the positions of political and economic power," Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said on Monday.

"Some will find this excessive," he added. "But those who believe in feminism will simply find it fair."