Marie-Aude Dubanchet: “Gender parity is fundamentally a matter of equality”

What is your vision for gender equality?

To me, parity is fundamentally a matter of equality, as enshrined in the Declaration of Human Rights, in Article 1 of our Constitution, and at the heart of our republican motto. It is therefore not an option; it is a concept that is structurally integral to our society’s identity and must be enforceable against everyone.

But equality between women and men should not mean making everyone the same or eliminating differences; on the contrary, parity is a necessity and an opportunity to enrich both individuals and the community. So we must foster it, nurture it, and cherish it!

What are your thoughts on La Poste Group’s equality policy?

We’re very proud! The fact that women at La Poste are paid as much as men is the result of a proactive policy that has been championed for over 10 years by our President, a committed feminist who has successfully put the necessary resources in place to make this happen. For example, there’s the pay equity fund created more than 10 years ago, which managers can use to correct pay disparities. I myself have used it to eliminate pay inequalities within my teams. La Poste has shown that when we are committed to pay equity, with time and resources, we can achieve it!

Does La Poste aim to set an example for other companies?

Of course, our workplace equality policy serves as a model because we demonstrate that an equitable pay model is possible on a large scale, within a Group that employs tens of thousands of people. But we have other examples to share, such as our data and Artificial Intelligence school, which has an equal gender representation. It’s because Valérie Decaux and Nathalie Collin made that decision and took action that it became possible.

This strategic decision—to appoint four women out of nine members to the Executive Committee—goes beyond the requirements of the Rixain Act.

It is precisely because we have achieved concrete, large-scale results that we can communicate our gender equality policy and thus show that it is possible!

What does serving as president of the “Un Une” network mean to you?

The first president was a dedicated man, Philippe Dorge, and I am very happy to succeed him. I want to take this opportunity to dedicate myself to the cause of gender equality. As the Group’s director of communications, I will ensure that our initiatives and messages are effective and reach a wider audience, and that we shine a spotlight on talented women and everyone working to advance gender equality within our Group.

What are your priorities for the network?

I see three priorities:

1. Support the network’s communications efforts. I’d like us to work on the network’s identity and how it defines its activities so that it can be even more effective and impactful. I also plan to leverage my role as the Group’s communications director to develop both internal and external communications opportunities for the network.
2. Formally create informal opportunities so that women can share their professional experiences but also discuss all the other factors that influence their work lives, such as family arrangements, mental load, and self-confidence. I would like the women in this group to have a structured framework and legitimate spaces to talk to one another, to support and encourage each other by drawing on internal role models, because we have many female Postal workers who have a great deal to share.
3. Expand mentoring opportunities. The pattern in which a woman is mentored by a man is still too common. There is no reason why women shouldn’t also serve as mentors to other women or to men. I would therefore like to encourage mentoring by women. It would likely be helpful to offer training so that those who accept this role can take on this responsibility with confidence.