MSPs have passed a law to ensure women make up at least half the board members for all public authorities, defeating opposition from the Scottish Conservatives.
The Scottish Parliament voted by 88 to 28 in favour of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill.
The legislation sets the benchmark of having females make up a minimum of 50 per cent of non-executive members by 2022.
It will apply to colleges, universities and some public bodies including health boards, enterprise agencies, the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Equalities Minister Angela Constance told the chamber: "This Bill will make Scotland the only country in the United Kingdom with a statutory objective for women's representation on public sector boards.
"It is unacceptable for women to still be under-represented in senior positions in the boardroom, to still be paid less than their male counterparts, to still be subjected to sexual harassment and violence."
She stressed appointments will "continue to be made on merit" and the legislation will "not impose quotas".
On Tory opposition to the Bill, she said: "I don't know whether that is just misguided or whether it is malicious."
Labour's Monica Lennon said: "Women make up half of the population – we're not a minority so it shouldn't need saying that we should also make up half of the decision makers too.
"Creating legislation which gives women greater rights to representation is a bold move and I hope it is the first step towards creating an equal playing field for all women at all levels of public life."
Conservative Alison Harris, reading out a speech by her party colleague Annie Wells who lost her voice, said Wells was not persuaded it is "effective and clear" legislation.
She said: "Annie Wells would like to reiterate her support for achieving equal representation of women in all walks life but does not believe statutory quotas are the right means to achieve this."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel