The contribution of women in Luxplan’s Hydrology Department

I have been working in the field of hydrology for 18 years now. Having started my career at Luxplan, I have witnessed many changes within our department.

We have grown from a small team of four people attached to the VRD to an autonomous department with 12 employees. This growth has been accompanied by a diversification of our activities, with a particular focus on waterways. For a long time, our department suffered from a gender imbalance, with sometimes no women on the team. Until recently, we had only one woman, but today we are fortunate to have two: Elia Bourdy and Mélina Dubourg.

Their integration took place in a climate of kindness and openness, without any particular challenges thanks to their personal and professional qualities. They have brought a new dynamic to our team, enriching our projects with their skills and perspectives.

Elia and Mélina, the two youngest members of our department, have transformed our dynamic more through their youth and energy than through their gender. Their training and experience abroad, particularly in authorisation processes, project management and watercourse management, have filled gaps that we previously had. Their dynamism has not only set the pace of our work but has also improved our productivity.

It is essential to emphasise that it is not their gender that determines the value of their contributions, but rather their technical skills, soft skills and commitment. 

Their approach and perspective, influenced by their specific training and experience, have brought significant added value to our department.

They have introduced a gentleness and kindness that can sometimes be lacking in male-dominated environments, contributing to an even more positive and inclusive working atmosphere.

In terms of performance and innovation, we have seen notable improvements since their arrival. This progress is directly linked to Elia and Mélina’s skills and commitment. They demonstrate that engineering is above all a matter of skills, regardless of gender. The role of women in engineering is now as crucial as that of men. It is important to continue to promote gender equality, recognising that skills are equally distributed between the two sexes.

At Luxplan, we encourage young women to pursue careers in engineering by offering internships and equal opportunities based on skills.

We have recently welcomed several women on end-of-study internships and given them the opportunity to prove their qualities and skills, without any discrimination.

In the years to come, I am convinced that diversity and inclusion will continue to progress in engineering. Companies must recruit based solely on skills, and this work to promote equality must begin upstream, in universities and schools. By increasing the number of women graduating in engineering, we will naturally see an increase in the number of women hired by companies.

On International Women in Engineering Day, I would like to emphasise that at Luxplan, we are an example of diversity and inclusion. We must continue to work to make this equality the norm everywhere.

Testimonials

Elia Bourdy

My integration into the hydrology department, which at that time was composed entirely of men, went wonderfully well. From day one, I was welcomed with respect and professionalism. My colleagues were open, collaborative and very curious to hear my point of view, which made it easier for me to settle in. The constructive exchanges and good atmosphere within the team made me feel fully integrated and valued.

Mélina DUBOURG

When I arrived, there was only one other woman in the department. My integration went very well, and it’s all the easier when your colleagues are kind and professional. The skills, perspectives and ideas of each team member are valued and treated impartially. This contributes to an inclusive and respectful working environment.

By Thomas BIENDEL,
Director of the Hydrology Department