Gender Equality Plan

1. Introduction & Commitment

At Ares Shield AI S.A., we believe that innovation thrives in an environment built on diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a forward-thinking artificial intelligence and technology company, we are committed to creating a workplace where all employees—regardless of gender—have equal opportunities to grow, succeed, and lead.
This Gender Equality Plan (GEP) represents our formal commitment to fostering a gender-balanced culture. It outlines our strategic objectives, concrete actions, and monitoring mechanisms for the upcoming years, aligning with global best practices and European Union standards (including Horizon Europe requirements).

2. Core Objectives & Action Areas

Our GEP focuses on four key pillars designed to integrate gender equality into the DNA of Ares Shield AI S.A.:

3. Pillar 1: Recruitment, Career Progression, and Representation

We aim to attract top female talent to the AI and tech sector and ensure unbiased career growth.
• Actions: Implement gender-neutral language in all job advertisements and recruitment materials.
• Actions: Ensure diverse interview panels and unbiased selection processes wherever possible.
• Actions: Actively promote, mentor, and support women moving into senior technical and leadership roles.
• Target: Increase the representation of women in technical (R&D, Engineering) and leadership positions year-over-year.

4. Pillar 2: Equal Pay and Pay Transparency

We are dedicated to the principle of „equal pay for equal work or work of equal value.”
• Actions: Conduct annual internal gender pay gap audits across all departments.
• Actions: Standardize salary brackets for roles to eliminate unconscious bias during hiring and promotion negotiations.
• Target: Maintain a zero-unjustified pay gap across identical job levels and responsibilities.

5. Pillar 3: Work-Life Balance and Organizational Culture

We support our team members in balancing their professional ambitions with their personal lives and family responsibilities.
• Actions: Offer flexible working hours and comprehensive hybrid/remote work options.
• Actions: Promote and encourage the utilization of parental leave by all parents, regardless of gender.
• Actions: Ensure that core team meetings are scheduled during standard core working hours to accommodate caregivers.

6. Pillar 4: Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination

Ares Shield AI S.A. maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy toward any form of discrimination, bullying, or sexual harassment.
• Actions: Maintain a clear, secure, and anonymous reporting mechanism for any workplace grievances.
• Actions: Conduct regular awareness training sessions on diversity, inclusion, and mitigating unconscious bias for all employees and management.

7. Implementation, Monitoring, and Resources

To ensure this plan is actively executed, Ares Shield AI S.A. dedicates the necessary resources to its long-term success:
• Responsibility: The implementation of the GEP is overseen by the Management Board in close cooperation with the HR Department.
• Data Collection: We collect and analyze anonymized, sex-disaggregated data on staff numbers, recruitment, promotions, and salaries annually.
• Reporting: An annual progress report will be presented to the board to assess the effectiveness of the implemented measures and adjust targets as necessary