4.3 A rights-based perspective on gender diversity in corporate boards

As we discussed in Section 4.1, there are two ways to look at gender diversity in corporate boards. After discussing the economic-decision making perspective in Section 4.2, we will now elaborate on gender diversity in corporate boards from a human rights perspective, i.e., the rights-based perspective. Pursuant to many international and European treaties as well as national law, governments, organizations, companies and natural persons are obliged to treat men and women equally and ensure that they have equal opportunities in society. First, in Section 4.3.1, we highlight the norms stipulated in international treaties in regard of gender equality, among which several general UN treaties and the specific treaty on this topic, i.e., the CEDAW. In this context, we specifically explore the level of compliance by the Dutch government with the CEDAW. Second, we discuss pertinent European legislation (Section 4.3.2). Third and last, we expand on Dutch law and the legislative history regarding gender equality (Section 4.3.3).