Championing Gender Equity in Rail: Voices of Inspiring Women and Supporters
Catherine Letang, VP of Employee Relations Transit Segment at Wabtec Corporation and a Member of UNIFE Gender Equity Advisory Group, is passionate about the role of women in the rail industry. She believes that women can help to shape the future of transportation and mobility, and she is inviting more women to join her in this promising industry. She says “The rail industry offers a very promising workplace where we welcome women to help us draw the future of transportation and mobility. Join with your own values and let’s together contribute to a very sustainable environment.”
UNIFE and its members are prioritising gender equity to foster a work environment that is welcoming and supportive to women and inspire more women to pursue rewarding careers in rail.
By embracing equity, we can build a fair and just workplace where women can thrive and unleash their full potential.
Catherine Letang is championing women’s careers in rail at Wabtec Corporation
Meet Ana Manuelito, Public Affairs Manager at UNIFE, who is an inspiring advocate for the European rail industry and gender equity.
She says: “I am passionate about working in the European rail industry which has a key role to play in delivering sustainable and affordable means of transport. As a Public Affairs Manager working in Trade policy, I continue to see the predominance of male-dominated roles in my area thus it’s crucial to keep promoting gender equity.
Working in Trade policy and promoting the interests of the European rail industry is synonymous of believing in the European project, stand by the principles of free and fair trade and supports an industry that creates wealth and jobs in Europe. Having more female peers in this field means having a different, more creative and tough thinking and have women in leadership roles that are needed today and now. What are you waiting for?
As woman and granddaughter of a railway worker, I can say that I am doubly happy to work in the European rail industry. Everyone has a place in the rail industry, including women. This is for you, young girl: who told you that your place cannot be in the rail industry?
A woman’s place is in rail and wherever she wants! Break the silos, demystify mindsets and stereotypes that women cannot have certain professions in certain sectors! We must increasingly encourage young girls and teenagers to start a career in the rail industry which has so much to offer. And we must continue to work towards an increasingly inclusive industry that responds to the challenges of each of us as individual beings.”
Ana Manuelito drives trade policy and gender equity in the European Rail Industry
Marleen van de Kerkhof is an International Affairs Manager at Dual Inventive and a member of UNIFE’s Gender Equity Advisory Group. She is an advocate for increasing female participation in the railway industry and believes that women can play a vital role in shaping the future of rail.
According to Marleen, the rail industry offers a broad job landscape with many exciting jobs and opportunities for women. With a technical background, women can thrive in this industry and contribute to its growth and development.
“What can’t you do as a woman in the rail industry?” Marleen confidently states. “There are so many exciting jobs and so many ways to develop yourself. Rail has a very broad job landscape and for women, there are so many opportunities, especially if you have a technical background.”
For Marleen, the key to increasing female participation in the rail industry is to showcase the exciting opportunities that are available and to highlight the important role that women can play in shaping the future of rail transport. She is confident that with the right support and encouragement, more and more women will be inspired to pursue careers in this dynamic and rewarding field.
Marleen van de Kerkhof is an inspiring role model who is championing the cause of increasing female participation in this exciting field.
Marleen van de Kerkhof is inspiring the next generation of Women in Rail
Meet Marta, Technical Affairs Manager at UNIFE who is passionate about shaping the future of transport in Europe. With a focus on Research, Innovation and Cybersecurity in the rail industry, she’s always discovering something new. “For me, working in rail is about the diversity the industry has to offer, fostering sustainable transportation, and contributing to society by connecting places and their citizens,” says Marta.
For her, Research and Innovation initiatives in rail are particularly fascinating, as they offer new opportunities to improve the system every day. She also points out that cybersecurity in rail is an important area where more women are needed. With a growing variety of threats, a range of perspectives is essential, especially in cyber, which requires creative, flexible and strategic thinking to address the multitude of factors affecting security.
“It is important that more women join the rail industry,” says Marta, who believes that a gender diverse workforce is critical to solving complex challenges and creating innovative solutions.
Marta Garcia is paving the way for the future of transport in Europe
Sabine Schneider, Global Senior Vice President of Talent Management at Siemens Mobility shares her insights on skills and talent in the rail industry, and why this industry is a great choice for a successful career.
Not only does Sabine highlight the importance of rail as a sustainable mode of transportation, but she also explains why rail is the right fit for those seeking a fulfilling career.
As Membership Manager at UNIFE, Maria Romero Seoane knows firsthand the impact that women can have in building trustful relationships and driving innovation.
In Maria’s words: “As Membership Manager, I have the chance to build bridges and trustful relationships with companies that are willing to work together to enhance the rail sector position as the main sustainable mode of transport in Europe and beyond. Moreover, working in rail is a constant learning journey, as there are always new innovative solutions to discover.
Women have an important place in rail, a sector that has a direct impact on citizens’ daily lives. Our leadership and contribution are essential to build and reshape the best future rail network, adapted and accessible to all.”
Maria Romero is building bridges and driving innovation in the rail industry
Oliver Kraft, Senior Vice President at Voestalpine and a member of UNIFE’s Gender Equity Advisory Group, is passionate about empowering women to pursue careers in rail. He questions the traditional view that the dream job of many boys is to be a train driver and asks, “But who says girls don’t have a dream job on the railroad too?”
The rail industry has historically been male-dominated, but UNIFE and its members are dedicated to changing this by prioritizing gender equity and cultivating a welcoming and supportive work environment for women. With a wide range of career opportunities available, from train drivers and engineers to cybersecurity and data analysts, the rail industry offers a wealth of exciting possibilities for women with diverse backgrounds and interests.
However, there is still work to be done to increase female representation in many roles. Mr. Kraft and other industry leaders are actively working to break down barriers and empower women to reach their full potential in rail. By fostering a culture of inclusion and equity, the rail industry can continue to thrive and innovate.
Oliver Kraft encourages women to pursue their dream job in rail
Antonella Trombetta, Director of European Affairs at Hitachi Rail and a leader in the rail industry, delves into the remarkable potential of rail as a solution to numerous challenges within the transport sector.
Antonella sheds light on how rail contributes to enhancing people’s quality of life and highlights rail’s positive role as a sustainable mode of transport responding to environmental challenges of the day. Acknowledging the importance of a thriving rail industry, she underscores the need to make the rail sector more enticing, catering not just to passengers but also to the workforce, with a particular focus on attracting young talent.
Meet Dr Emma Taylor, Head of Digital Safety at Razor Secure. With over 30 years of experience, she is a leading expert in rail cybersecurity.
In this video, Dr. Taylor shares her passion for her work and why she believes rail is a fascinating industry to be a part of. She highlights how it’s an essential part of our daily lives and that working in cybersecurity helps keep Europe safe. As an engineer, she emphasises the ever-changing landscape of technology and the excitement of developing new solutions daily.