Applied Econometrics and International Development Vol. 11-1 (2011) WOMEN PARTICIPATION, QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN EUROPE, 2000-2007 GUISAN, Maria-Carmen * AGUAYO, Eva Abstract: We analyze women participation, in economic and social activities, in Europe, for the period 2000-2007, and the positive effects of education, quality of government and economic development on quality of life and female participation. We estimate some econometric models which have into account the positive impact of education in gender equality opportunities as well as the positive impact of gender equality on indicators of socio-economic well-being. In spite of some advancement in equality of opportunities for women in working activities, we find a marked stagnation of opportunities for highly prepared women in decision making and leadership, particularly in countries where voice of citizens do not find enough channels of communication with Government and where television, press media, and several social institutions, are under tight control of powerful political and business groups which show little concern about female equality of opportunities based on merit and capacity. We suggest policies addressed to increase equality of opportunities for women in European countries, particularly related with those problems denounced by the European Women´s Lobby about difficulties for female leaders to reach an even participation in decision making and media. This would help to advance in quality of life for all the society. Keywords: Quality of governance, human capital, gender empowerment, quality of life, Europe, Comparison of Europe with the USA. JEL Codes: B54, C2, J16, O5, O52 1. Introduction Women participation in decision making and leadership is very often highly positive for social welfare, particularly when women with high capacity take an active part in design and control of policies to reinforce cooperation and socio-economic development. Female participation in economic and social leadership is not only a write of qualified women in a democratic society, but it may be also of interest to improve general quality of life. In fact we may found that in many fields the experience has demonstrated that participation of qualified women in economic and social policies has shown a positive contribution to socio economic development. Section 2 presents a summary of women participation in some relevant top position of management and media in Europe for the period 2001 to 2009 and our suggestions for a positive evolution, not only of the share of women in top positions, but also in the development of channels for real participation of qualified female and male voices in European decisions. We notice that percentage of women in top positions of management * Maria-Carmen Guisan, mcarmen.guisan@usc.es and Eva Aguayo, eva.aguayo@usc.es , Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain Acknowldegement: Authors are grateful for the financial support from the European Social Fund and the Regional Government Xunta of Galicia (Spain): Proxecto 427C-03 “Paro, emprego sectorial e actividades sociais desde unha perspectiva de xénero: situación en Galicia e comparación con Europa”, Servizo Galego de Promoción da Igualdade do Home e da Muller.