Do We Need A Gender Quota?

That women are still not treated equal to men isn’t a secret. Many women have to experience disadvantages just because of their gender. Sexual harassment, prejudices and unequal opportunities are just some to mention. Moreover, females are way underrepresented in politics and economics. Even though the government should represent our society, there are only 27.5% females in the current congress. Also, in business women only have 28% of board seats on the Russell 3000 index of publicly traded companies. Men are two to three times more likely to hold senior management positions. In addition, women earn about $10,000 less than men - this is considered the gender wage gap. This gap is even worse for Black, Latina and women of color. As we can see from these numbers, women are underrepresented and still marginalized. 

 

However, women aren’t necessarily less qualified than men - their performance just tends to be more underrated. Women are on average 30% less likely to be called for a job interview than men with the same characteristics. One way to create more visibility for women is a gender quota. This is a tool to increase women’s representation in politics and businesses by requiring a certain number or percentage of women in leading positions. For example, 40% of board members must be female. 

 

At first, it may be argued that gender shouldn’t play a role whether someone gets a job or not. A person should be chosen because of their qualities. A gender quota might be considered unfair, or women don’t like to be chosen just because of their gender. I can understand these points to a certain extent. However, currently our society is not at a point where gender doesn’t play a role anymore. Women, especially Black, Latina and women of color, experience disadvantages. A gender quota is not about erasing men’s merits, it is about removing obstacles and leveling the playfield for women. It could ensure that our government truly reflects the population it represents. Businesses which established a gender quota in their leading positions noticed smarter decision-making. A diversified board brings more opinions, ideas and life realities into a business. Non-male persons can offer different perspectives that haven’t been taken into consideration yet. 

 

In my view, a gender quota is a good way to create more diversity. Our society is so diverse but usually this isn’t represented in politics or economics. I don’t think that we should have a gender quota forever but at least till we reach the point where women are treated equal to men. 

 

Questions

 

What do you think about a gender quota?

 

Should a gender quota be mandatory in congress or leading business positions? 

 

How high should this quota be (30%,40%,50% ...)?

 

Sources

https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/03/08/women-biggest-problems-international-womens-day-225698/

https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/levels-office/congress/women-us-congress-2022

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/03/what-is-the-gender-wage-gap-in-your-state.html

https://thefeministshop.com/blogs/the-feminist-shop-blog/gender-quotas

https://fortune.com/2022/09/30/how-many-women-sit-corporate-boards-record-28-percent-russell-3000/

https://www.gendereconomy.org/the-debate-about-quotas/

https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/465074-why-american-politics-needs-gender-quota/

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Replies

  • Great topic choice Laura and one that would be very controversial here in the US. Super job!!

  •  I think the gender quota is a great idea, however, I don't like the idea of women being put in higher positions just because it is mandatory, why can't they just hire them normally? I think this quota clearly shows how we still have a long way to go regarding equality. 

  • I think gender quota would be a good and bad thing. Becuase, women already get almost everything handed to them its not like they have to get drafted. But some women do work hard and those ones should be getting the quota. But I dont think it should just be women if a man was working very hard and getting everything done then he should get payed more. 

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    • I agree with you and I also think that anything less than 40% wouldn't really change anything. 

  • I think that gender quotas are okay but should be less severe as they are now. I don't think that it should be required becuase I think women have just as good ideas as men. I think that this quota should stay what it is now but should give the other women chaces to show their abblity and ideas.

    • I agree with you that women can have just as good ideas as men. But unfortunately, not many companies or parties have a gender quota or pay attention that they diversify their staff. 

  •  I think that the gender quota is a great way to encourage diversity, although the percentages could be changed just a little bit more maybe to 50% at least so that it feels a little bit more equal between men and women. It could also raise the quota for a leading position, so we can at least feel like we have a chance of being eligible for that job.

    • I totally agree with you! It would diversify companies so much. 

  • I don't think their should be a gender quota. Women can get almost anything they want in today's society and need to realize it. God created men to do things better than women and women to do things better than men. Just treat everyone with respect and let men do their thing and women do theirs.

    • I agree with you that you should treat everyone with respect. However, I don't think that there is a special task which someone could do better than anyone else because of their gender. 

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