Women and Men: Together for a Safe Workplace
As they do every year, the SMSP Group took part in International Women’s Rights Day on March 8. This year’s theme was “Rights and Justice.”
In 2026, the SMSP Group is proud to strengthen its commitment to women through concrete, field-based actions aimed at its operational teams on the topic of sexism. These actions contribute to the recognition and, above all, the implementation of women’s rights and justice for them.
Deepening and Coordination
In 2025, the Group offered its subsidiaries—KNS, NMC and Cotransmine—awareness workshops on sexism with the participation and support of Guénolé Bouvet and Maud Le Bar. These workshops, held in Nouméa and at NMC sites, were primarily intended for women.
Following these workshops, the Group began discussions with the NMC Human Resources Department to support actions undertaken by its subsidiary in this area. During 2025, two additional initiatives were validated and implemented: the creation of posters illustrating sexist behaviour, sexual assault, sexual harassment and rape.
In the same spirit, the SMSP Group also worked on producing a pilot video clip depicting a fictional sexist situation.
During this preparation phase, the Group and the HR departments also emphasized the importance of the DLS (Delegates for the Fight Against Sexism). These delegates act as real sentinels on site regarding sexist behaviours and remarks.
In 2026, the Group rolled out these materials and actions in the field in coordination with NMC, KNS and Cotransmine.
Poster Deployment
The posters created were distributed across all Group sites: from Nouméa (SMSP-SOFINOR, NMC Ducos and Cotransmine Numbo) to Ouaco (NMC and Cotransmine Téoudié), as well as Nakéty (NMC), Poya (NMC) and Vavouto (KNS).
The main objective of these posters is to raise awareness by presenting concrete examples of sexist behaviour, sexual assault, sexual harassment or rape.
What may seem obvious is not always obvious to everyone, and visual representation helps distinguish between a joke or habit and normalized, everyday sexism.
Mixed Sexism Awareness Workshops
The second key action for the Group and its subsidiaries was the organization of mixed sexism awareness workshops.
Initially offered to women only in 2025—since they are the main people affected—both women and their male colleagues expressed the wish that these workshops be offered to all employees, regardless of gender.
This positive and encouraging sign prompted the Group and the Human Resources departments to work together throughout 2025 and 2026 to make these workshops accessible to as many employees as possible in 2026.
The workshops began on Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 at the NMC Ouaco site in the municipality of Kaala-Gomen. They were spread over two days and six different time slots to reach all teams, including those working at the seaside facilities.
Cotransmine employees from Téoudié also joined the NMC Ouaco seashore workshops. It was a moment of awareness and reflection for everyone, but also an opportunity to strengthen connections between subsidiaries.
More than one hundred employees took part in these sessions, which led to rich and engaging discussions. Employees asked many questions about gestures or comments that may seem harmless or habitual but can nevertheless constitute sexism.
Some examples of questions included:
- “Can I tell a woman ‘smile’ if I see she looks upset?” Would you say the same thing to a man if he looked upset?
- “Can I shake a woman’s hand?” Yes, if she also extends her hand. If she does not, it may mean she is not comfortable with physical contact—and that is perfectly okay.
During these workshops, the SMSP Group emphasized that the objective was not to judge or put teams on trial, but rather to identify sexist behaviours and remarks so that they can be addressed and stopped.
The goal is to enable teams to work in a safe workplace, respectful of everyone’s boundaries and free from inappropriate behaviour or comments.
Short and Interactive Activities
Other activities were also organized during the week of March 9, including a “mobile debate” workshop. This short activity invites participants to position themselves on either side of a line on the floor depending on whether they consider a statement sexist or not.
This first workshop, which will be offered at other sites, took place at the SMSP-SOFINOR offices in Nouméa. In a light and engaging atmosphere, participants positioned themselves on the “sexist” or “non-sexist” side of the line according to the statement presented.
The exercise proved particularly interesting as it generated discussions—and sometimes debates—depending on the statements and participants’ positions. It helped raise awareness while also highlighting the nuances of behaviours and comments depending on context.
A second interactive workshop called “Future Fresco” will also be offered at sites in Nouméa. This activity allows participants to freely express their views on sexism by writing or drawing on a strip of paper the changes or improvements they would like to see.
Next Steps: Continuing Workshops and Sharing Materials
While International Women’s Rights Day takes place on a single date—March 8—the Group’s awareness campaign on sexism is intended to continue throughout the year.
Additional posters will be deployed and awareness workshops will soon continue at NMC Nakety and Poya, and at KNS, depending on operational constraints.
The Group will also continue producing educational materials, particularly awareness videos featuring volunteers from different sites.
The SMSP Group communications team would like to warmly thank and congratulate all employees who participated in the workshops, those who helped put upl the posters, and the management teams within the subsidiaries who made it possible to hold the workshops and distribute the posters.
Let us continue working together to build a healthy workplace that respects everyone’s boundaries, enabling us to achieve our operational objectives in health, safety, and in alignment with our values.