'In the first place, this paper provides a comparative legal analysis of the concept of equality. In the second place, attention is paid to the notion of positive action in EU law and, in particular, in the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU. This paper includes an analysis of the interpretative value of that case law to provide guidance for the adoption of positive action measures and the possible clashes with the international and national contexts. Finally, attention is paid to the recent actions adopted by the European Commission to promote gender balance in decision-making positions.'