Celebration marks the moment; consistent action creates the change
In conversation with Atos’s Farah Rigal on IWD 2026
Ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD), we are in conversation with Atos’s very own Farah Rigal, Head of the Global Cyber Security Products and Services business lines and Head of Cybersecurity France, as she shares her thoughts on IWD, this year’s theme “Give to Gain,” and the role models who have shaped her thoughts and experiences. She urges us to treat March 8th as a day for celebration, but to remember that real change is borne from consistent actions.
Read on to know how you can make a difference and give to gain in the simplest ways.
1. Before we start, we have to ask a question that seems to always crop up at this time of the year: Do you think IWD themes are short-lived celebrations or are they truly impactful with ripple effects throughout the year? Does International Women’s Day really need to justify itself by promising long term impact or measurable change?
There is real value in a moment that exists purely to celebrate women — without objectives, without follow up plans, without the weight of “what comes next.”
Wouldn't it unintentionally place another burden on women to ask them to turn even their celebration into a vehicle for progress, education, or justification?
In this sense, International Women’s Day can remain light, joyful, and celebratory, while the real, lasting impact is carried by ongoing actions, policies, leadership commitment, and cultural habits throughout the year. Celebration marks the moment; consistent action creates the change.
2. The IWD 2026 theme, “Give to Gain,” calls for supporting women’s advancement to create a better world for everyone through the spirit of giving. What are your thoughts on this?
The “Give to Gain” theme highlights an important principle, even if International Women’s Day itself is best, in my opinion, kept as a moment of pure celebration rather than a call to action.
The idea of giving resonates deeply on a personal level. Many women including myself have benefited throughout our lives from sponsorship, trust, care, and other forms of informal support. Giving back is a natural response to having received so much. Supporting others without expectations of return, sharing experience, or creating space for someone else is all about continuity.
I see the ‘giving’ theme working best as a quiet, ongoing principle lived out over time.
3. Is there a role model from your own life who has embodied this theme (Give to Gain)? And how?
The “Give to gain” theme reminds me strongly of a colleague. She believes success is most meaningful when it is collective, so she works deliberately behind the scenes to enable others to perform at their best and craft success together.
She invests most of her energy in coaching, stimulating, and engaging. What she gains is not status, but something deeper: a cohesive team, lasting professional relationships, and a reputation for authenticity and commitment. Watching her has taught me that giving is about stewardship.
When you help the ensemble shine, you contribute to something bigger than yourself, and that, in itself, is a meaningful gain.
Her name is Pascale, and I am lucky to still have her in my professional life.
4. In today’s world where women are still striving to be recognized in the face of gender equality, pay gaps, and basic human rights too, how can every woman imbibe a “Give to Gain” mindset?
In a world where many women are still fighting for recognition, fairness, and basic rights, a “Give to Gain” can be thought of as sharing from a place of strength, once one has something to give.
Except, when you think about it, we all have something to give.
Imbibing this mindset can be as simple as listening, offering guidance, amplifying another woman’s voice, or creating space where others can grow. Giving does not have to be grand or visible; it can be situational, personal, and paced. I guess what I mean is that those who have the capacity and inclination can lead through larger, visible actions — organizing or engaging with local or international associations that advance women’s causes. Others may, at a point in time, only make personal and symbolic contributions — each form of giving still matters.
5. How are you looking to embrace your drive to “give to gain” in a sustainable, reciprocative and nurturing manner? What are some of the social media platforms you would use to amplify this? How about offline?
The impact of giving is highest where it feels natural not forced, and when the giver is open to learning in return. I see it as a two-way flow: giving from what I have received and staying receptive to others’ insights and positive energy.
To amplify this, social media can be a powerful tool. Platforms like LinkedIn are well suited for highlighting collective achievements, sharing thoughtful reflections, and amplifying voices or initiatives led by others.
Offline, I value proximity and presence — mentoring conversations, informal check ins, or supporting initiatives led by others, whether through structured programs or simple human connections.
6. How is Atos enabling you to empower your team members to contribute and leverage their own skills?
Atos has established leadership and talent programs, many entail mentoring and coaching. Earlier in my career at Atos, I had the privilege, in one of them, of being mentored by an Executive Committee member whose depth of experience was truly exceptional. He had worked closely with politicians at the highest levels, advising, and supporting complex decision-making. I felt incredibly fortunate to have access to his perspective and to benefit from his experience. From him, I learned the importance of reframing complex challenges and bringing them back to a human level — moving away from abstraction and pressure, and instead working through relationships, trust, and influence. That shift in perspective was deeply formative.
Today, I consciously replicate this approach with my teams. I focus on helping individuals step back from complexity, recognize their strengths, and navigate challenges through collaboration and connection.
I am also inspired by my coaching experience with Jean Fleming, especially her powerful reminder that “you are enough.” I try my best to create an environment where people feel confident in their value, encouraged to trust and lean on their strengths, as well as supported in developing new skills.
This week, we are talking to Atos women leaders on what this special day means to each of them, the efforts and impacts of IWD collectively for women around the world, and more.
Watch this space for our next interview with Larisa Tatarcan.
Farah Rigal
VP, Head of Global Cybersecurity Products and Services & Cybersecurity Services France
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