The Network is celebrating Diversity Month!

Can Luxembourg boost women representation in top leadership?

In the EU’s largest listed companies, women hold only 7.5% of board chairs and 7.7% of CEOs. Moreover, only 32.2% of members of national parliaments in the EU are women. (Source: European Commission).

Despite progress in the last decades, women, as the other half of all employed people in the EU, continue to be under-represented amongst managers.

Whilst deciphering this gap will imply an extensive analysis, it`s fair to say that many of the reasons of why these discrepancies exist are well-known. From bearing a disproportionate share of unpaid care and household chores, to gender bias and discrimination in the hiring processes, lack of affordable (and available) childcare support, to occupational segregation with women focused in specific activities characterised by lower wages and/or fewer career development opportunities, just to name a few reasons. (Source: European Commission).

I wanted to take a closer look and see what the local situation is. According to the European Institute for Gender Equality, Luxembourg does not rank great when it comes to positions held by women in senior management roles, with only a share of 23.5%, way lower than many EU27 countries.

With the most recent panorama report on the Luxembourg labour market, I was surprised to learn that, among residents, 31% of women work part-time, compared to just 7% of men. To put it differently, in Luxembourg a woman out of three works part-time. To me, that is huge! And, to no surprise, «  family » being the main reason mentioned for this temporary working arrangements.

But there is a flip side of the coin.

And that is, as I see it, the Charte de la Diversité Lëtzebuerg.

With hundreds of signatories companies and organisations, among also The Network, it’s optimistic when you look at the commitments they take, beyond legal obligations. Article 3 of the charter, in particular, refers to the application of principles of equal opportunities and promotion of Diversity as much in the company’s decision-making and management processes, as in its human resources.

It’s through the charter that I sense good progress will be observed in the years, and hopefully the share of women in senior management roles will increase.

This year, in the light of the European Diversity Month, companies and organisations are invited to reflect on the how they could embrace the future of work through inclusion and diversity.

We, at The Network, feel privileged to be able to organise, in partnership with the University of Luxembourg a, what announces to be, a bold and beautiful event where diverse women professionals in Luxembourg will confidently share their career development stories, challenges, and successes on becoming diverse leaders.

Do join us at our next event! Together, we can explore and perhaps begin to answer this pressing question: Can Luxembourg boost women representation in top leadership? I will be there, seeking insights, solutions and I hope you join us for this important conversation. 

Written by Diana Trisca-Rusu