Poland's Women on Boards law pushes firms to increase female board representation

In July, Poland's parliament passed legislation to implement the EU "Women on Boards" directive, requiring large publicly listed companies to ensure at least 40% female representation on their boards by 2027. The law, which also allows fines up to 500,000 złoty for non‑compliance, aims to address gender imbalance in corporate decision‑making.

A conference in Gdańsk highlighted regional implementation, with Governor Beata Rutkiewicz and Gdańsk mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz emphasizing the benefits of diverse boards. Energa CEO Magdalena Kamińska presented practice examples, while recent appointments such as Diana Batko to PKN Orlen and Malwina Winter to Modivo illustrate firms beginning to adjust.

The new rules target companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, signalling a broader shift toward gender parity in Polish corporate governance.