The Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE) has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality in the workplace, announcing that women constitute 73 per cent of its workforce, with 50 per cent holding managerial positions.

In a statement, the exchange said that this “ongoing dedication to inclusivity aligns with the global initiative Ring the Bell for Gender Equality”, which promotes gender balance in corporate leadership.

In its efforts to foster a workplace that values respect and equality, the CSE said, it encourages listed companies to adopt similar principles through its corporate governance code.

The code recommends that company boards maintain a diverse composition in terms of age, gender, educational background, and professional experience to ensure a broad spectrum of perspectives and independent decision-making.

At a European level, Directive (EU) 2022/2381 has been enacted to enhance gender-balanced representation in the leadership of listed companies.

The directive mandates that, by June 30, 2026, listed companies within EU member states must achieve one of two targets.

The first target stipulates that at least 40 per cent of non-executive director positions must be held by members of the underrepresented gender.

The second aims for at least 33 per cent of all director positions—both executive and non-executive—to be occupied by the underrepresented gender.

Member states are also required to ensure that listed companies unable to meet these targets establish their own internal quantitative objectives to improve gender balance among executive directors.

These companies must set a clear plan to achieve these individual targets by the same deadline.

The directive applies exclusively to companies listed on a regulated market and does not extend to very small, small, or medium-sized enterprises, as defined under Article 3(8) of the directive.

Reaffirming its stance, the CSE underscored that “women have played a pivotal role in its workforce and leadership over time”, demonstrating the organisation’s “long-standing commitment to recognising and supporting female talent in the professional sphere”.