The European Commission announced on Tuesday 22 October that the objective of achieving 40% women in middle and senior management in 5 years has been achieved, and even exceeded.
41% of management positions at all levels are currently held by women, compared to 30% at the beginning of President Jean-Claude Juncker's term, which represents an increase of 37%.
The figure is even higher at the level of the most numerous managers in the Commission, the middle managers or Heads of Unit. At present, 42% of them are women, up from 31% when the Juncker Commission took office. "These achievements place the Commission amongst the public administrations around the world with the highest share of women in leadership positions", the Commission welcomes.
The most impressive progress has been achieved at the very top of the organisation where female Directors-General now make up 38% of the total, up from 14% at the beginning of the mandate, an increase of 170%. At Deputy Director-General level, women currently hold 40% of the posts, up from 8% in November 2014. This is an increase of 400%. In February, the 40% target was almost reached (see EUROPE 12188/27). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)