Once again this year, SYSTRA is taking part in International Women’s Day, which takes place every 8 March. Conferences and events are organised to raise staff awareness of gender equality and combat gender stereotypes.
In 2021, the signing of the charter supported by the professional federation of French engineering Syntec-Ingénierie was a first step in the Group’s commitment. In 2022, SYSTRA is reaffirming its desire to promote gender diversity through four commitments applicable throughout the company and its subsidiaries:
- To improve the image of engineering among young people, particularly girls
- Ensure equal treatment of women and men throughout their careers
- Encourage a work/life balance for all
- Encourage access to management positions for women, by developing upward mobility
The actions associated with each commitment include support for the development of the Women@SYSTRA internal network, as well as several partnerships with organisations committed to gender equality, such as the association ‘Elles bougent’ in France, or the organisations ‘Wise’ and ‘Women In Rail’ in the UK. A mentoring programme has also been launched to facilitate access for women to management positions.
SYSTRA has also been working for several years to promote professional equality between men and women. An action plan has been put in place in France through the signing of a collective agreement in October 2019, to increase the proportion of women in the workforce and ensure a balance between professional activity and personal and family life.

Promoting all diversities, fostering inclusion and fighting against discrimination are at the heart of our human resources policy, whether in hiring or in our internal promotion process. Among these commitments, gender diversity and equity are levers on which we act with consistency and determination. This means fighting stereotypes on a daily basis and identifying unconscious bias.
Stéphane Birien, Chief Human Resources Officer

At a time when engineering companies such as SYSTRA are at the forefront of major technological and environmental transitions, it is urgent to call on all talents to meet the challenges of the future, in a working environment where everyone feels respected and treated fairly. Welcoming employees of different nationalities, ages and experience is a strength for the Group!
Christelle Chichignoud, Sustainable Development Director