The Dutch economist, lawyer and author, Heleen Mees, wrote in the Financial Times recently: “Male dominance works like a cartel: it impedes proper functioning of the market by barring talented women from top jobs. The old boy network should be busted like any other cartel.”

Anyone who has seen the photos of the European Union heads of state and governments gathered at the European Council or for other important occasions, such as signing the Treaty of Lisbon, will have been struck by the scarcity of women in the picture.