1st Women in Rail Awards

The European Year of Rail 2021 was a welcome opportunity to highlight the cause of women in transport and in rail in particular. By increasing the attractiveness of the sector to women, we can have a more mixed workforce, which has proven to lead to significantly higher problem-solving competence and innovative strength. Therefore, the railway sector supported by the European Commission’s Women in Transport Platform decided to honour achievements of efforts and work promoting women in the railway sector through a “Women in Rail Award”.

The call for nominations in four award categories received many responses. These were deliberated on by the jury, composed of Adina Vălean, European Transport Commissioner, Vera Tax, Member of the European Parliament, and Baiba Miltoviča, President of the European Economic and Social Committee's Transport Section.

The winners were revealed at a ceremony held in Brussels on International Women’s Day, where they were able to share their inspiring stories, good examples & best practices that can pave the way for other organisations.

Award winners

Best employer

This award recognises a European employer in the railway sector who has gone the extra-mile in making gender-balance a top priority and fully integrating it in its day-to-day decisions and DNA.

• Winner: Deutsche Bahn (Germany)
• Runners-up: Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, FGC (Spain) and Promeco Group Oy (Finland)

Best initiative against harassment

This award recognises a European company or organisation in the railway sector, that has developed a strong and successful initiative or programme against (sexual) harassment at the workplace, in train stations and/or on board trains.

• Winner: Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC, Spain) 
• Runners-up: Alstom (France), ÖBB (Austria), 

Best improvement of inclusion in the workplace

This award recognises a European company or organisation in the railway sector that has developed a strong and successful social inclusion programme.

• Winner: SNCF (France)
• Runners-up: Infrabel (Belgium), Deutsche Bahn (Germany)

Rising Star

This award recognises a woman in the railway sector who has demonstrated, over the past 2 years, exceptional leadership through concrete action to promote women in the sector, diversity and inclusion, thus making a positive impact on the company or organisation.

• Winner: Linda Allen, Head of Talent Acquisition at Iarnród Éireann (Ireland)
• Runners-up: Agnes Sarusi Nagy, Warehouse Centre Manager at MÁV (Hungary); Karolina Korth, Head of Strategy and Chief Digitalization Officer at Siemens (Germany)
• Special mentions: Jalanta Mackevičienė, Train Attendant & Member of the Council of Trade Union “Solidarumas” of JSC Lithuanian Railways (Lithuania); Jasminka Kromar, Main Railway Traffic Controller, HŽ Infrastructure d.o.o (Croatia)

Press release

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Photos

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