Breaking the glass ceiling is not easy. According to one study, it would take women 40 years to catch up to men in the corporate world. That's assuming everything remains static on the other side of the fence.

Norway has come with its own solution. Under a law to come into effect next year, Norwegian companies listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange will be required to have 40 per cent of board seats occupied by women and any company failing to comply will be thrown off the OSE, reports Forbes.

Not surprisingly, the move has been slammed for being unworkable and anti-investment. You can hear these issues discussed on radio here.

Still, there are signs this sort of move gathering momentum with reports of similar moves afoot in Spain.