Christine Lagarde said being one of just two women in the European Central Banks 26-member Governing Council is something shes used to, while highlighting that a more balanced group would produce better results.
I was a woman in many circles of men, the ECBs first female president told Finnish TV during a non-monetary-policy meeting this week in the Nordic country.
When I was a lawyer, I was surrounded by men. When I was chairman of Baker McKenzie, my board was male dominated. When I became finance minister, I was surrounded by men. When I joined the IMF, I was surrounded by men so its not something that is new for me, but its something that is always disappointing. Because we do a much better job when we are better represented both genders: male and female.
Lagardes 2019 appointment to lead the ECB was a landmark event in improving gender diversity in economic policymaking, though she remains in the minority both in her own institution and internationally. The Frenchwoman has made no secret of her push for diversity at the Frankfurt-based central bank.
In all the positions that Ive had and I want to continue to do that I want to make sure that women get promoted, that they get a chance and if they have the talent and if they want it, they are given a chance, she said. But it is tough.
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