Women in Rail 2024 Award: Harnessing Female Talent for a Competitive and Sustainable Future in Rail

Berlin, 24 September 2024 – At InnoTrans, the International Trade Fair for Transport Technology, the European Commission, Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) proudly hosted the 2024 edition of the Women in Rail Award. This year’s ceremony, held at the joint European Stand (Hall 27, Stand 511), spotlighted the significant contributions of women to the rail industry, while celebrating companies dedicated to empowering their female workers.

This award not only recognised outstanding achievements but also highlighted the crucial role women play in building a more competitive and sustainable railway sector. The benefits extend to society as a whole, creating a positive feedback loop where female empowerment drives greater innovation, diversity, and societal wellbeing.

Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the Commission said: “From executive boards to signalling, women in the EU are making remarkable contributions to the rail sector—yet there are still too few of them. I hope the inspiring examples celebrated by the Women in Rail award will motivate more women to pursue careers in rail, and push the industry to actively recruit and retain a more diverse workforce. Without women workers, rail misses out on the insights, experiences, and innovative ideas of half its users.”

After evaluating over 70 applications from across the European Union and Associated Countries, the Jury awarded three exceptional initiatives:

• Maria-Luisa Dominguez, from ADIF, in the Leadership and Mentoring category, for her exemplary role in guiding the next generation of women in rail.
• Metro Istanbul, in the Women Empowerment category, for their commitment to fostering a workplace where women can thrive and advance.
• Veronica Elena Bocci, from DICTEFER, in the Research and Innovation category, for her significant contributions to rail technology and innovation.

By celebrating these achievements, the Women in Rail Award aims to inspire more women to join the rail sector, creating a pipeline of future talent and leadership that will shape the future of sustainable mobility in Europe.