Women remain underrepresented in ITS and mobility leadership, but change is underway. On 11 March 2025, ERTICO – ITS Europe brought together the ITS & mobility community in Brussels for a crucial discussion on female representation and inclusion in panels, sparking ideas on how to keep up the momentum for women in ITS and mobility. A key outcome was a call for female industry speakers to step forward and actively participate in future ITS Congresses, reinforcing ERTICO’s commitment to fostering gender diversity within the sector.
However, this conversation is not limited to one event. As part of the ITS Congress commitment to meaningful change, key partners of upcoming Congresses in Spain, Turkey and the UK, are integrating gender balance initiatives to ensure diversity is reflected at all levels on speaker panels, in programme content, and beyond. These steps align with ERTICO’s broader strategy to make inclusivity a core pillar of the Congress experience.
Turning Words into Action
Women continue to face barriers in ITS and mobility leadership, particularly in industry panels and decision-making roles. During the discussion in Brussels, panellists Stephanie Leonard (TomTom), Ruth Lopian (European Commission), Emőke Péter (The Brussels Binder), and Rita Bhandari (ERTICO – ITS Europe) explored the challenges that prevent diverse voices from being represented in ITS discussions, the role of gender diversity in driving innovation, and the efforts of EU institutions in promoting equality.
Ruth Lopian highlighted the importance of engaging women in STEM from an early stage, emphasising that underrepresentation remains a challenge that needs continuous attention. “We cannot start early enough to get women into STEM. Women are underrepresented, and we need to work on that. The European Commission has toolkits to help achieve this goal,” she stated.
Emőke Péter reinforced the significance of representation at decision-making levels, particularly in Brussels, where policies impacting the industry are shaped. “Brussels is at the epicentre of European policymaking, and those decisions affect all of us. So, it is fair to ask to have an equal say in that environment and have both men and women sitting at the same decision-making table,” she said.
Stephanie Leonard echoed this sentiment, underlining the importance of action over discussion. “It’s events like this that turn words into action,” she remarked.
Key Congress Partners amplify Gender Balance efforts
- Spain: ERTICO, alongside Dirección General de Tráfico and ITS España, hosted a half-day event to highlight the role of women in the Spanish ITS sector. The discussion encouraged greater visibility and invited them to take the stage at #ITSSeville2025. Read more!
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- Turkey: As Istanbul prepares to host ITS European Congress 2026, local stakeholders are laying the groundwork for a stronger female presence in ITS leadership. A Women in ITS panel at Tech Istanbul Şişhane gathered industry leaders to discuss practical strategies for increasing women’s participation in the ITS sector. Read more!
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- United Kingdom: ITS UK, a key supporter of the ITS World Congress 2027, is exploring key themes such as diversity in ITS, the growth of female leadership, and how to create a more balanced and resilient workforce. Read more!
What’s Next? Turning Commitment into Action
The ITS Congress commitment to gender balance does not end with discussions. It is about ensuring meaningful follow-through. While inviting more female speakers is a critical step, the next step is to ensure gender balance is actively reflected in the Congress structure.
Calling Women in ITS
We invite expressions of interest from female industry experts who are passionate about shaping the future of ITS and transport. If you want to take part in an upcoming ITS Congress, we want to hear from you. Get in touch: speakersITS@mail.ertico.com
Registration is now open for #ITSSeville2025. Join us here!