The logistics and supply chain industry, which is embracing gender diversity, offers diverse professional and technological opportunities for women, with government initiatives aimed at providing equal opportunities and empowering women in the field.
The logistics, transport, and supply chain industries, once resistant to women in the workforce, have begun embracing gender diversity with positive results.
According to a recent report by Gartner, cited by Globalia Logistics Network, women made up 41% of the supply chain workforce in 2021, with 15% of women in leadership roles within companies. This trend highlights the positive impact of gender diversity in the logistics industry.
Working in logistics offers many benefits, such as the opportunity to travel and gain a comprehensive understanding of logistics scenarios and operations. Additionally, logistics professionals gain insight into the supply chain process, including how products are transported from the factory to store shelves. This knowledge can be used to increase productivity, reduce costs, optimize capacity, and prevent losses, ultimately giving products a competitive edge in both domestic and international markets.
The logistics industry is no longer just about physically moving goods, but encompasses a range of professional and technological opportunities, making it a more welcoming space for women.
The logistics industry is constantly evolving with new innovations and advancements in technology, e-commerce, warehousing, shipping, multimodal operations, and research. This has led to a diversity of opportunities within the sector, making it more inclusive for women.
The e-commerce industry being digital in nature, provides equal opportunities for both men and women to participate in the supply chain business. It allows flexibility and minimal infrastructure requirements, making it possible for women to balance their domestic responsibilities while still being able to contribute to their workplace. This provides a more inclusive environment for women to enter and excel in the logistics and supply chain sector.
The government has taken various measures to promote gender diversity and empower women in the logistics industry.
The initiatives include Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) which aims to protect and educate girl children, Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) which focuses on empowering rural women through skill development and employment opportunities, and Working Women Hostel (WWH) which provides safe and secure accommodation for working women. These policies aim to provide equal opportunities, eliminate violence and harassment at work, and ensure equal pay for women.
Women considering a career in logistics should focus on developing their educational qualifications and skills to match the diverse opportunities in the industry.
It's important to note that supply chain is evolving with the use of advanced technology and software, which means that a high level of physical strength is not necessarily a requirement for success in this field. Instead, it's important to develop transferable skills such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. This may include enrolling in courses related to operations, planning, and management.
With these skills, women can move into various roles within logistics, such as manufacturing, procurement, and technology. Overall, it's important to stay informed about the latest developments and advancements in the logistics industry to remain competitive and excel in their career.
Throughout my career, I have been faced with several challenging projects in logistics, including complexities in cargo movement, security, crossing international borders, and meeting deadlines.
One particularly memorable project involved the transportation of odd-dimensioned machinery from various locations in India to Ndola, Zambia. The machinery had to be moved by road, rail, ocean, and air, and the entire project had to be completed within a month. The success of this project was due to the hard work and dedication of my team, who passionately undertook this assignment. The satisfaction we felt upon completion was immense.
