Gender diversity in technical professions and industrial sectors remains a major challenge for companies of all sizes and across all sectors.
This is also a challenge for engineering schools, where the proportion of female students remains well below that of male students. Promoting science and technology among young girls is a priority for Arts et Métiers. This priority is gradually bearing fruit: in ten years, the percentage of young women enrolled in generalist programs has risen from 9.3% in 2006 to 18% in 2016.
To contribute fully to this dynamic, the school is involved in numerous initiatives at the local and national levels. These initiatives aim in particular to inform middle and high school girls about scientific studies and the diversity of career paths available to engineers.
Gender Equality Plan
Article 80 of the Civil Service Reform Act of August 6, 2019, made it mandatory to implement a multi-year action plan on professional equality between women and men.
The Civil Service Reform Act reinforces and structures actions in favor of gender equality and the fight against violence.
This reinforcement is explained by the following two observations:
- on the one hand, despite the actions taken so far, significant inequalities between women and men persist;
- on the other hand, the response to gender-based and sexual violence and discrimination still needs to be improved.
Consequently, and logically, higher education institutions, including Arts et Métiers committed to this process and must develop their multi-year action plans by December 31, 2020.
The objectives of this multi-year action plan for gender equality are:
- to assess the current situation at Arts et Métiers;
- to respond to any gaps identified and take corrective action where necessary;
- to regularly evaluate the situation based on indicators defined in the plan;
- communicate on all these elements with a view to increasing efficiency and transparency.
Click here to access the Gender Equality Plan.
Student mentors from the Elles Bougent association
Since 2008, the school has been a partner of the Elles Bougent association, whose goal is to introduce young girls to engineering and technical studies and careers. Arts et Métiers students Arts et Métiers participate in all of the events organized by the association (networking and career forums, "Women in Engineering" or "Women Innovating for Digital Technology" days, etc.). Many of them are also involved as mentors for Elles Bougent, sharing their experiences.
The school also supports the WoMen'Up association, which is dedicated to promoting gender diversity in the business world by involving younger generations.
"Technology, feminine noun": promoting careers in the industrial sector
Two spin-offs are also planned: a book combining the photo portraits with an interview with each young woman, and a series of postcards.
