Women's quota to 50 percent: a step towards real equality!

Women's quota to 50 percent: a step towards real equality!

Österreich - On April 16, 2025, SPÖ women's spokeswoman Sabine Schatz recognized the increase in the women's quota in state-related supervisory boards to 50 percent as a significant success for equality. This step is the result of years of feminist politics and shows that women should be a matter of course in decision -making positions, says Schatz. Despite this progress, however, it remains to be determined that the proportion of women on board members and management is still sobering. According to the "Frauen.Management.report 2025", only 84 out of 610 management positions, which corresponds to 13.8 percent, are occupied by women in the 200 -strong companies in Austria. In listed companies, the proportion of women is only 12.8 percent.

Current status of the women's shares in management positions

The data for the representation of women in the private sector are collected regularly. For listed ATX companies, this is done by the European Commission at half a year, while the 200-sales companies in Austria are examined once a year by the Chamber of Labor. 27.7 percent of the 2025 mandates are occupied by women, which is progress, but also shows that there is still a lot to do to do. In recent years, the women's shares on supervisory boards have increased from 16.1 percent (2017) to 38 percent (2025) in companies with a legal quota.

Another important step was the introduction of the Equal Opportunities Act (GFMA-G) in June 2017, which provides for a minimum share of 30 percent for women on supervisory boards of large companies. The "empty chair" regulation ensures that the mandate remains vacant if the requirements are not complied with. It is particularly gratifying that, according to the progress report of March 6, 2024, the proportion of women on supervisory boards of state-related companies is already 51.4 percent, which points out that 41 out of 54 state-related companies fulfills or exceeds the 40%quota.

prospects for equality

Despite these positive developments, there is agreement that there is a lot of work ahead of us. Wiebke Ankersen from the Allbright Foundation recently found that, like Austria, Germany is far from being at the goal of equality between gender in management positions. Among other things, it mentions that fewer suggestions for women in leadership roles and the supposed incompatibility of career and family life are the main reasons for the underrepresentation. In addition, it could still take 15 years at the same pace before the proportion of women on board members is 50 percent.

So more support for women on management levels and agreements for better reconciliation of work and family, for example through more flexible work models and a stronger responsibility of men in family life. Katy Roewer, Otto Group staff and finance, emphasizes how important support from male colleagues is to facilitate women access to management positions.