The Norwegian government has introduced a system of sanctions for the 500 companies listed on its stock exchange if they do not install female members on their board.

The directive came into force on January 1st this year, and possible sanctions include closure of the company.

In Norway one third of MPs and nine of the nineteen cabinet members are women, which could help to explain the country\x92s enthusiasm for proactive measures to increase female representation in big business \x96 where only 16% of company directors are women.

Posted by Lynne Miles on 9 January 2006, at 10:58 AM