If we don’t want to fall under criticism in the EU, more women should be given the opportunity to be included in high level decision-making positions, Mikko, who is also a former member of the European Parliament, told Äripäev.

The gender quotas have become a topic best avoided in Estonia, said Mikko. Nevertheless it is becoming a generally accepted rule in the EU that at least 40 percent of board positions in publicly traded companies are held by women, she said.

Mikko said that she was convinced that the Nordic countries are so successful exactly because of the long tradition of gender quotas. "Waiting for things to fall in place in an evolutionary way sounds great but it doesn't work."

"Gender quotas are just a means for achieving a purpose. Otherwise our country will be run exclusively by middle-aged heterosexual men, leaving no place for the young, the old and women," Mikko said.

Ingrid Teesalu