Accelerating Gender Equality: Safran “On the Board!” for Back-to-School

To show young women that there is a place for them in our industry, we need to meet them where they are! With this in mind, Delphine Berilloux, Vice President, Human and Social Responsibilities, and Pierre Cottenceau, Vice President, Engineering, Research & Technology, took their place at the front of the classroom in a school in Seine-et-Marne (France). A "girls' scientific cohort" was created for these 10th-graders to encourage them to pursue a scientific pathway in a supportive and sisterly environment that makes learning easier.

Safran's initiatives for gender diversity, the benefits of diversity in business, equal opportunities-these teenagers had plenty of questions to ask.

This moment of sharing helped break down stereotypes and encouraged the curiosity and self-confidence needed to consider technical and scientific careers, whether at Safran or elsewhere. One thing is certain: Delphine Berilloux and Pierre Cottenceau delivered the right messages to the students-what matters in aerospace is talent and passion, regardless of gender. Only they can decide if they want to join the adventure.

Raising Awareness as Broadly as Possible

In 2024, women made up about 27% of engineering school students. This is one reason why the proportion of women pursuing a career in aerospace remains low (23% in 2024 according to Airemploi).

To reverse this trend, Safran is deploying a global plan to increase female representation in aerospace professions, structured around three pillars:

• access to employment, from school to business,
• career development,
• awareness-raising among all stakeholders, starting at a young age.

The involvement of Delphine Berilloux and Pierre Cottenceau in Montereau-Fault-Yonne is part of this last pillar, along with the activities conducted by our 757 sponsors and ambassadors who are members of the "Elles bougent" association. Their mission? To fight gender stereotypes and promote gender diversity in scientific careers by reaching out to students from elementary school to high school. Last year, Safran's sponsors and ambassadors carried out 315 school-based activities via the "Elles bougent" network.