Assia Benziane—empowerment through engagement and collective effort
We met the president of SNCF Mixité, France’s top corporate diversity network, with 13,000 members. After serving on the G7’s advisory board for gender equality, Assia Benziane was appointed to a commission on gender violence set up by France’s Haut Conseil à l’Égalité, and is now calling for more female executives at CAC 40 companies.
SNCF Group: What does “engagement” in the business world mean to you?
Assia Benziane: For me, engagement is rooted in shared values. It begins when employees feel proud of their company because they believe it’s making the world a better place—creating social benefits for customers and the wider community. When employees see this impact, they’re naturally inspired to give back, go the extra mile, and show solidarity when times get tough. It’s a spirit that’s deeply ingrained in SNCF’s employees. The way our staff responded when saboteurs disrupted rail service on the opening day of the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a good illustration. Moments like those showcase the deep commitment of our grassroots workforce.
SNCF Group: What specific commitments does SNCF Group endorse?
Assia Benziane: The key lies in rallying people to a shared cause. SNCF actively supports major social issues—the environment, inclusion, and fighting sexist and sexual violence. Employees who are committed environmentalists will feel at home and identify with SNCF’s mission, since trains are the most eco-friendly mode of transport—the Group even advertises the fact in its onboard announcements. We also back organizations like Gare!, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, just as SNCF Mixité champions gender equality. Opportunities for engagement are open to everyone—it’s up to each individual to seize them. And for those who prefer to engage outside the workplace, the SNCF Foundation provides another avenue for involvement.
SNCF actively supports major social issues—the environment, inclusion, and fighting sexist and sexual violence.
President, SNCF Mixité
SNCF Group: Gender equality remains a challenge in the rail industry. How can you help drive change?
Assia Benziane: SNCF is an industrial group, and traditionally many of our professions have been male-dominated. Currently, women make up 23% of Group employees. The challenge isn’t just recruitment, it’s culture. Many women hesitate to apply for jobs unless they feel 110% ready. Imposter syndrome is widespread in France, affecting 70% of the population—especially women. To counter this, we’re introducing confidence-building workshops and mentoring programmes to offer customized support. But structural changes are also necessary to foster gender diversity.
SNCF Group: Can you give an example?
Assia Benziane: It was only in 2019 that our technical centres began stocking protective gear designed and sized for women. These historical and structural barriers take time to break down, but we’re moving ahead with clear vision and determination. And while there’s always room for improvement, we can already take pride in how far we’ve come.
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