In the last ten years, women have had a – modest – place for themselves in the governing bodies of French companies. But the battle for parity is still far from over. This is the observation made by the authors of a study on the subject, carried out by the firm Roland Berger and Grandes Ecoles for women.
At the helm of the large companies listed on the CAC 40, women remain a very small minority. They are only three out of forty: Catherine MacGregor, CEO of Engie, Christel Heydemann, the head of Orange and Estelle Brachlianoff, who pilots Veolia. In this sense, we are very far from parity.
Directories: not far from parity anymore
But it’s not really better in other countries. The men who historically dominated the business world still clearly struggle to hand over the helm to a woman. From this point of view, France can even boast of now having the highest proportion of women on the boards of its companies. More than 46%, there we are almost on par. Even ahead of Norway and Sweden, which are between 40 and 41%. And we are starting from afar, since the proportion of women on boards of directors tripled in 2010.
The explanation? Very simple: the Copé-Zimmermann law which, in 2011, instituted a minimum quota of 40%. But this fee only applies to the boards of directors, that is, the body that defines the company’s strategy, which appoints its managing director and can, if necessary, dismiss him. And so, even feminized, these boards of directors continue to privilege men for the management of companies.
Senior executives: in 2026, a minimum share of 30%
The proportion of women among top executives is still quite low: 25%. Only satisfaction, in 2010, were only 7.3%. But large companies will have to work very hard to get on board with the Rixain law, which provides for a 30% quota for women on management committees in 2026, before it is increased to 40% in 2029.
The existence of a glass ceiling is still clearly felt as a reality by women managers. Three out of five point out the lack of support from their male partners, according to the survey made public by Roland Berger. Whereas when we question the men, the denial is total. 56% believe that there is no limit to the progress of women today. And one in five believes that they even evolve faster than men.
Source: BFM TV
