International Women's Day 2022: UITP works to #BreakTheBias

Working towards a society that is diverse, equitable and inclusive, means that everyone should have the ability to shine in their respective roles.

By embracing equality, we can advance the opportunities within the workplace for everyone involved. We can only do this if we collectively #BreakTheBias.

In recent years, UITP has placed a strong focus on the role of women in our industry as both passengers and employees. Beginning with the launch of our #PT4ME campaign, to our Women in Leadership focus and the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, we’ve been advocating alongside our members for a more inclusive sector.

Since 2019, we have also coordinated our communication activities around the theme of the annual International Women’s Day. From #EachForEqual, to #ChooseToChallenge, the involvement of our staff and global membership has helped to make this output shine.

Now, for International Women’s Day 2022 (Tues 8 March), we’re working towards making public transport a more equal sector with the official theme #BreakTheBias.

We know that problems remain in public transport when it comes to a gender balance. The sector is one that employs millions of people around the world, moving countless more each and every day.

But for all the women who use the service as passengers, there remains a lack of women working within it.

Research tell us that between 15%-22% of those currently working within the public transport sector are women.

UITP’s own gender equality policy was put in place with the guidance of several leading figures from our Executive and Policy Boards, helping us to develop our direction.

The policy sets out UITP’s principles, such as no male-only panels for our events, as well as our targets to double the amount of women speakers at events, and increase the number of women on boards.

There’s always more work to do, but our commitment to improve the gender balance within UITP has seen more women elected to our Policy and Executive Boards, as well as our Committees and overall database. By doing so, we have reached our 2021-2023 commitment of creating a better gender balance by 25%.

Public transport is an exciting and rapidly-developing industry, and we all have a role to play in making sure it serves everyone at all levels.

But it must also be a sector that is inclusive for all.

Is enough being done to make sure women are part of that future? If young women do not consider a career path in public transport because of gender stereotypes and expectations then how do we change that bias?

In the weeks leading up to today’s International Women’s Day we have launched several communication activities centered around this year’s theme and tackling these questions -all connected to our overarching focus of Women in Leadership.

We must continue this debate beyond today and we will keep working with our members to move the conversation forward.

UITP is proud to embrace the #IWD2022 theme. Are you joining us? 

Celebrate achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality. #BreakTheBias

UITP responds to the educational toolkit from the European Commission

Wiener Linien all-female leadership team: our exclusive interview