In the male-dominated air cargo industry, women are vastly underrepresented. Only 13% of senior leaders in logistics are female, and less than a quarter of employees in the UK transport and logistics sector are women. However, with the industry evolving due to technological advancements and supply chain strategies, more opportunities are opening up for women.
Celine Hourcade, founder of Change Horizon, and Emma Murray, founder of Meantime Communications, have recognized the need for more gender equality in the industry. They launched the Women in Aviation and Logistics Pledge on International Women’s Day, aiming to encourage more women to join the sector. Companies and individuals can sign up to define targets for gender equality, act as advocates for change, and promote diversity.
The initiative includes a database of women in the industry willing to speak at events and take on leadership roles. By increasing the visibility of women in the sector, event organizers can invite more female experts to speak at their events and attract more female delegates.
Murray and Hourcade noticed the lack of women in the industry during the 2014 TIACA Air Cargo Forum in Seoul and decided to take action. They believe that increasing the representation of women in leadership positions will help attract more women to the industry.
The initiative aims to address the gender imbalance in industry events and webinars, where male speakers dominate. By offering a practical solution in the form of a database of female experts, the initiative hopes to inspire change within the industry.
The ultimate goal of the Women in Aviation and Logistics Pledge is to create a more diverse and inclusive industry by providing more opportunities for women to participate and lead. By highlighting the lack of women in leadership positions and promoting gender equality, the initiative aims to spark change and inspire other projects focused on diversity and inclusion.
