Top German firms debate law on women executives

[October 17, 2011]  BERLIN (AP) -- Germany's 30 top public companies are presenting the government with a plan aimed at increasing the number of women in the highest levels of management as politicians consider legislating gender equality.

Representatives from the 30 DAX-traded companies were to sit down Monday with members of government to discuss a voluntary plan.

Some members of Chancellor Angela Merkel's government insist the only way to get equal representation is through a law requiring gender equality.

Politically, Germany has a female chancellor and five other women in Cabinet. But it ranks alongside India in the number of women in boardrooms, with only 2.2 percent, one of the lowest among developed and developing nations.

[Associated Press]

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