It is a pleasure to be surrounded by so many remarkable women. I always look forward to moments like these, when we can hear each others stories and experiences.
Every time a woman speaks about her journey and the challenges she has faced, it inspires all of us to do more. It shows the next generation that their voices belong at every table where decisions are made. These lived experiences will also help shape our new Gender Equality Strategy, planned for March next year.
Gender balance on company boards is, above all, a matter of fairness. It is the right thing to do. But it also gives us a competitive edge: it strengthens companies and benefits our economies.
Fortune 1000 companies with gender-diverse boards do not only promote equality; they also perform better and create more value. We see this clearly in Denmark, where firms with more women in top management report improved governance and stronger profits. The same is true in Spain, where listed companies with more women on their boards consistently deliver greater financial value.
Diversity is not a cost and it is not a compromise; it is a driver of competitiveness. If we extended this equality beyond the boardroom, Europes GDP per capita could grow by nearly 10% by 2050. That is an economic boost of more than €3 trillion — almost like adding another Germany to our economy.
When people of different genders, backgrounds, ages, and experiences sit around the same table, they generate better ideas and stronger results.
This mix of perspectives fuels innovation and pushes companies to think beyond the next quarter, toward long-term success. Diverse boards focus more on people, communities, and the planet, understanding that real value comes from building trust, not only from increasing share prices.
Yet despite all this evidence, women still hold only one in three board seats across the EU. This is not good enough.
Progress has been made since 2010, but in too many countries it has stalled. That is why the Women on Boards Directive is a milestone — not only for equality but for Europes competitiveness. By June next year, listed companies must ensure that at least four out of ten non-executive directors, or one in three of all directors, are women. Where this is not the case, companies will be required to follow transparent, merit-based selection procedures.
These rules are not about quotas; they are about quality. They will finally unlock the potential of thousands of capable women whose talents have been overlooked for far too long.
The European Commission will closely monitor implementation and enforce the rules where necessary. By 2030, we will present a full review of the directives impact — not simply counting seats but showing how diverse leadership transforms companies and economies.
Diversity cannot stop at the top. Lasting change requires fairness in every room where decisions are made — from the boardrooms that shape our economies to the parliaments and embassies that shape our world. Too often, those rooms still fail to reflect the societies they serve, especially when it comes to women.
I am reminded of two women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership. This summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, who showed that kindness is a powerful form of strength and that empathy and determination can work hand in hand to deliver results. And María Corina Machado, this years Nobel Peace Prize laureate, continues to stand up for democracy and freedom in Venezuela, despite facing risks to her own safety every single day.
Their stories highlight two simple truths: we need more women in politics because half the population deserves half the seats; and we need more women peacemakers because their perspectives can turn conflict into dialogue.
If Europe wants to remain competitive in todays world, we must use all our talent — not just half of it. That means building companies and institutions that genuinely reflect the societies they represent.
Promoting womens leadership is not a side project of equality; it is a cornerstone of Europes economic and democratic strength. Every time a woman joins a board, runs a company, or leads a ministry, she widens the door for those who follow.
Gender equality must therefore stay at the heart of everything we do — from the Women on Boards Directive to the next Gender Equality Strategy, from corporate governance to humanitarian diplomacy. When women rise, Europe rises with them.
Allow me to end on a personal note. In addition to being Commissioner for Equality, I am also responsible for preparedness, civil protection, and humanitarian aid, which means I travel frequently.
Wherever I go — in Ukraine, Syria, India, Myanmar, Africa, Colombia — I meet women and girls living in war zones or refugee camps. I listen to them and try to encourage them, because they are the glue holding their families together.
I also meet women leaders — the force behind the scenes keeping their communities moving forward during crises.
I want to end by thanking each of you for doing your part to make the world a little fairer for our women and girls — through your leadership in business and boardrooms, but also through the small, everyday gestures that support and inspire them. You can count on me to be right there with you.
Together we will build a Europe where every woman can lead, and where every girl can dream without limits.
