Eiffel Tower chief to quit after female staff replaced by men during religious visit

Key Points:

• Patrick Branco Ruivo, CEO of the company managing the Eiffel Tower, will step down at the end of the year following backlash over female staff being replaced by male colleagues during a visit by the Hindu group BAPS.
• An internal investigation found "operational flaws and shortcomings" led to the "unacceptable" removal of female staff, who were asked to leave or avoid certain areas to accommodate the delegation's request to limit interactions with women.
• The incident sparked staff strikes and political condemnation, with French officials, including the National Assembly president and Paris mayor, denouncing the decision as humiliating and unacceptable.
• SETE's chair announced plans for gender equality training and measures, while BAPS issued an apology, emphasizing their commitment to mutual respect and Hindu values.
• BAPS is a spiritual group based on 18th-century teachings that practices strict gender separation in its activities, which influenced the controversial arrangements during their visit.