Women continue to be significantly underrepresented in the railway workforce, accounting for only around 23% of the sector’s total workforce. In support of ongoing efforts to address this imbalance, the European Commission’s Women in Transport Platform, Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), the European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE), the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) and Federation of European Train Drivers´ Unions (ALE) have united to launch the Women in Rail Award. This initiative promotes fairness, diversity and equality, and celebrates outstanding and inspiring women and their achievements in the rail sector.
The 2026 Women in Rail Award, organised in the context of InnoTrans 2026 (where the award ceremony will take place), will highlight individuals, teams and organisations that are driving change and creating concrete opportunities for women in the railway sector.
The 2026 edition features four award categories:
• Women Empowerment and Leadership Award – Recognises a railway company, or organisation that has successfully embedded gender equality into its strategy and daily operations, achieving measurable progress, or a woman who has shown outstanding leadership and actively promoted inclusion and equal opportunities in the railway sector.
• R&I in Railway Award – Recognises a female researcher or engineer whose work has significantly contributed to innovation and progress in the European rail sector. (....)