Assita Kanko: “Commission President von der Leyen’s quota proposal is the wrong answer to a real problem”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to revive the “Women on Boards Directive” and oblige listed companies to have at least 40% of their boards made up of women. MEP Assita Kanko (N-VA) is not enthusiastic about this legislation. “President von der Leyen’s proposal is the wrong answer to a real problem, that of the under-representation of women. Focus and perseverance is the real way up, not charity or quotas.”

“I believe that women can move forward on their own, and have stood up for women’s rights all my life. In my experience, what von der Leyen is putting on the table is not the solution, but a distraction,” she responds. For Assita Kanko, competence and merit are the only elements to ensure the fair promotion of women, and men too. “Why should the government even start explaining to listed companies how to become more successful? Just leave it to the market.”

Inspire, don’t patronise

“Von der Leyen should trust and inspire women more, instead of trying to patronise and distract them. She has worked very hard herself, and now she wants others to sit and wait for quotas? Why did she not have conversations with women who have a different view? Only the voice of the left counts,” Assita Kanko says.

Don’t wait for quotas

Assita refers to her book “Leading Ladies” and her work with her incubator Polin. “I show how women climbed the ladder themselves despite all the adversity. It’s about freedom and self-determination. Women mustn’t wait for permission or quotas. They must seek and find their way themselves,” says Assita Kanko, who stressed that she will always use her position as an MEP and do everything she can in that role to help women move forward, to inspire and to achieve more for the freedom of all.