{"id":6209,"date":"2026-02-05T08:46:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T07:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.araniasa.com\/leire-barayazarra-el-camino-hacia-la-igualdad-en-la-industria\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T11:39:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T10:39:48","slug":"leire-barayazarra-the-path-towards-equality-in-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.araniasa.com\/en\/leire-barayazarra-the-path-towards-equality-in-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Leire Barayazarra: \u201cThe path towards equality in industry should not be walked by women alone \u2013 it is essential to work together to build diverse teams\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”vc_default”][vc_column]

Leire Barayazarra: \u201cThe path towards equality in industry should not be walked by women alone \u2013 it is essential to work together to build diverse teams\u201d<\/h1><\/div>
\"null\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1770719182828{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]\u201cStopping a woman is like trying to stop the sea.\u201d Almost five centuries ago, Lope de Vega used this phrase to highlight the strength, passion and autonomy of women in a historical and social context that was highly restrictive, not to say misogynistic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, in 2026, this same quote was used last Tuesday, 3 February, by Professor and Doctor of Modern and Contemporary History, Bego\u00f1a Cava to introduce four outstanding female professionals whose testimonies and examples can inspire others to overcome the gender gap that still exists today in certain professional sectors.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1770719544563{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}”]One of these women is our colleague Leire Barayazarra<\/a>, Director of Integrated Management Systems and Operational Excellence at Arania<\/a>, who has developed her professional career in a traditionally male-dominated sector: that of industry.
\nLeire took part in the conference \u201cLeadership and Decision-Making Roles: From Diplomacy to Senior Management\u201d, introduced by Ana Otadui, President of the General Assemblies of Bizkaia, and Jos\u00e9 Manuel Barandiaran, Director of the Royal Basque Society of Friends of the Country, alongside diplomat Maider Makua; Leire Zarraga, Director of Human Capital at Ormazabal; and Laura Abasolo, Director of Finance and Control at Telef\u00f3nica.<\/p>\n

During her speech, Arania\u2019s Head of Management Systems pointed out that in this sector, only 15% of technical positions are held by women, who too often experience the so-called \u201csandwich effect\u201d, in which very few women work in the plant or in senior management, but a much higher female presence is found in middle management and administrative roles.<\/p>\n

Leire explained that although Arania has a similar situation on the production floor, its management team is close to gender parity. She then outlined some of the measures the company has implemented to rectify this situation.
\nShe highlighted the importance of working from the very beginning, collaborating with recruitment agencies to attract women willing to take on direct production roles. She went on to emphasise the need to work closely with training centres to help younger generations break down stereotypes and encourage more women to enter these types of positions.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”]

<\/span>\u201cWe wanted the \u2018awakening\u2019 of the equality committee to spread throughout the entire workforce.\u201d<\/span><\/div><\/div>[vc_empty_space height=”20px”]