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4mo ago

Germany’s Gender Quotas Drive Progress, but Parity Remains Elusive

A decade after the introduction of quotas, women hold record representation in corporate boards and public administration, though systemic barriers persist.

Eine Frau steht in einem Bürozimmer am Fenster und telefoniert über ein Headset
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Overview

  • Women now occupy 37.5% of supervisory board seats and 20.2% of executive board roles in DAX-listed companies, reflecting significant progress since 2015.
  • In Berlin’s public administration, women make up two-thirds of employees but hold only 37% of top leadership roles, with representation declining at higher grades.
  • Part-time work, predominantly undertaken by women early in their careers, continues to hinder advancement into leadership positions.
  • Advocacy groups and experts cite childcare shortages, spousal tax policies, and conservative workplace cultures as key obstacles to achieving gender parity in leadership.
  • Despite gains, Germany lags behind international peers in gender equality, with calls for expanded quotas and structural reforms to sustain progress.