How ABB Is Closing the Gender Gap. From STEM Careers to the Factory Floor

"I still want to be like you, and I want more women to be there."

That's Amina Hamidi, one of ABB's senior engineering leaders, speaking on International Women in Engineering Day and capturing in one sentence what gender inclusion in STEM is really about: visibility, role models, and the belief that things can be different.

Why gender inclusion is a business priority

Only 28% of the STEM workforce is made up of women. At the current rate of progress, full global gender parity is estimated to take 123 years. The business case for changing that is well established: research from the ILO and the Peterson Institute for International Economics links gender diversity at leadership level to stronger organisational performance. The World Economic Forum estimates that doubling the number of women in technology by 2027 could add €600 billion to the global economy.

For ABB — a global technology company operating across electrification, automation and industrial engineering — this isn't an abstract statistic. It's a business reality.

"At ABB, we are fully committed to the Women's Empowerment Principles. We strive to create safe, fair, and inclusive working environments where people can succeed and develop. And we have a clear and measurable target for women in senior management," said Morten Wierod, CEO of ABB.

What ABB is doing about it

ABB's approach to gender inclusion spans policy, programmes and culture:

• Gender-neutral parental leave — supporting all parents regardless of gender
• Flexible work guidelines — enabling colleagues to thrive on terms that fit their individual needs
• Global female mentoring programme — supporting professional growth for women across the business
• Women Professionals and Women in STEM employee resource groups — communities dedicated to developing and retaining female talent
• Inclusive language guide — practical tools for more respectful, accessible everyday communication
• Zero-tolerance Code of Conduct — covering discrimination based on gender identity, biological sex and parental status

ABB has also been recognised externally: named one of the best companies for professional women under 35 in Peru and Chile by Employers for Youth, and ranked among the top three companies in DivHERsity Manufacturing by HerKey in India.

Inclusion that reaches everyone

ABB's commitment to gender inclusion extends across geographies, career levels and business areas — from corporate offices to engineering labs and factory floors. The goal is not a single standard applied uniformly, but an environment where every person, in every context, has what they need to succeed.

That's what it means to foster a safe, fair and inclusive workplace where everyone can help run what runs the world.