Women in industry with Ana GIROS - Equans EVP

European Sustainable Development Week and Climate Week NYC are two international CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) events that provide an opportunity to highlight Equans' commitments and actions to promote sustainable performance around the world. This week, we focus on gender diversity.

The industrial sector and technical professions may be less attractive to women. At Equans, women currently represent 18.6% of the workforce. Equans is working on various approaches to attract, retain and develop the loyalty of female talent. This commitment is bearing fruit, as one in five managerial posts is now filled by a woman.

To encourage young women to pursue careers in industry and in our businesses, our teams work in schools with local associations such as Elles bougent in France, and in higher education establishments. Internally, particular attention is paid to gender diversity in operations and to the proportion of women in management bodies. In Chile, a woman manager has surrounded herself with a team made up of 80% women to manage an electrification project, while in Belgium and France, women head up the Smart Buildings, Transport and Hydrogen activities. In most countries, our employees can join internal women's or mixed-gender networks which regularly organise awareness-raising and development initiatives as well as discussion forums.All Group employees also have access to an intranet system for preventing and reporting sexism and harassment.

This year, Equans has chosen to be a partner of the Trophées des femmes de l'industrie, awards recognising the careers of outstanding women in industry. This event aims to break down stereotypes and encourage vocations. Ana Giros, Deputy Managing Director in charge of Strategy, Development and CSR & Executive Chairman of MBU BELUX & ANZ, was present to present the International Women's Award. She sees a number of benefits in having female management in industry: "Emotional and inclusive intelligence, mutual support, diversity within teams, transparency - these are often the terms we attach to female management, and they are necessary when we work in changing environments and want to create an entrepreneurial spirit. I also believe that by disrupting an age-old status quo, women bring new ideas and drive collaboration and innovation within entities."

Equans has opened the floor to women from the Group who work in professions traditionally occupied by men or who hold managerial positions. 

The Women in Industry series highlights their journeys to inspire younger generations of women.