Madrid, July 9, 2026 — SheMoves: Women in Mobility, organised by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union in collaboration with WITAM and AEDIVE, brought together representatives from the public sector, companies, entrepreneurs, and academia on Thursday, July 9, in Madrid to centre the role of women in urban mobility and agree on concrete steps toward more inclusive and sustainable systems.
The day began with a clear diagnosis: in the European Union, only 22% of the transport workforce is women, and this gap is mirrored in entrepreneurship and decision-making positions within the tech and mobility ecosystem.
The event was opened by key representatives from the organising entities. María Paula Caycedo, Director of Ecosystem & Business Development at EIT Urban Mobility, reminded the audience of an everyday reality in her speech: many women do not travel from A to B, but rather string together trips related to care, work, and errands. When the city ignores these patterns, fatigue, insecurity, and access barriers increase. The solution lies in design and data: simple interventions and, above all, listening better and measuring differently, with diverse participation and disaggregated data.
For her part, María Romera, Director of Regulation and Public Affairs at AEDIVE, underscored the need to increase women’s representation in leadership positions. She stated that “where there is female leadership, results are better.” Romera highlighted the importance of women having visibility, speaking about what they do, and participating in decision-making forums, emphasising that diversity is not just a slogan but a strategy for competitiveness.
Finally, Lola Órtiz, President of WITAM, pointed out that although there is female talent in mobility, its visibility is limited. She argued that “we need greater presence in senior management and in operational roles,” and called for inspiring future generations with urban design that considers everyone’s needs.
After the speeches, attendees enjoyed an afternoon of networking and sharing experiences. The event also included representatives from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, the Madrid City Council, the capital’s main transport operators, and the private sector and startups.
This event is part of the various actions and programmes EIT Urban Mobility implements to promote urban mobility from a gender perspective. These forums are essential not only to make female talent visible but also to establish collaboration networks that drive significant change in the sector. Promoting diversity in mobility represents a crucial social advance and a key strategy for a more innovative and sustainable future. EIT Urban Mobility is advancing this change through concrete actions, seeking parity within its team and leadership positions, and setting clear goals to increase women’s presence in education, innovation, and startups. The message is clear: it is imperative to listen to women, support their leadership, and translate their experiences into design decisions. In this way, mobility ceases to be a daily challenge and transforms the city into a friendlier, safer, and more accessible place for everyone
