PIARC, the Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility and the Spanish National Committee (ATC), organised an international workshop on gender inclusion in the road sector which took place face-to-face in Madrid and online on 21 March 2024.

PIARC President Nazir Alli, Secretary General Patrick Malléjacq, Technical Director Miguel Caso Florez and Technical Advisor Jenny Cook joined the Spanish authorities and ten other high-level speakers from Spain and abroad, representing public road administrations, private companies, universities and professional associations, to share their views, challenges and successes in achieving gender inclusion in the road sector.

The speakers emphasised that the road to gender equality in the road sector is still a long one and that it requires a long-term commitment, but that promising actions and results are already being observed in various countries. Mentoring programmes and initiatives involving both women and men seem to be effective tools. Attracting female talent to the road sector from childhood and adolescence is essential in a context where the road sector is struggling to attract and retain both female and male talent. Understanding the particular needs of women road users will help to meet their needs and, in most cases, improve the services offered to male road users. Effective gender mainstreaming in the road sector will benefit society as a whole.