Spain introduces law to ensure equal representation of men and women on boards of directors and in elections

Spain has introduced a gender equality law requiring equal numbers of women and men in elections and on boards of directors, but feminists say a cultural shift is still needed.

The Equality Act will apply equality measures to electoral rolls, boards of directors of large companies, and boards of professional associations.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the law over the weekend ahead of International Women’s Day on Wednesday. It will be approved at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday and then discussed in Parliament.

Spain “has taken a step not only in favor of feminism, but in favor of Spanish society as a whole,” he said at a Socialist Party rally.

The law requires women to make up 40 per cent of the management of a listed company with over 250 employees and €50m (£44.32m) in annual sales.

Men are being fired from companies not to hire more women, but in the future, non-representative boards of directors should include women.

In politics, the law requires parties to field an equal number of male and female candidates in elections in order to increase gender equality in parliament. Women currently make up 44 percent of the House of Representatives and 39 percent of the Senate.

It also requires that the boards of directors of business associations be at least 40 percent female, as is the jury for awarding state awards.

Feminists welcomed the new law but said much more needs to be done to make Spanish society more equal for both genders.

“Not only laws change society. You must create a culture of equality. This includes changing values, educating equality and rejecting sexual stereotypes,” said Miren Elgarresta, director of the Basque Women’s Institute. I.