In recent years, the freight industry has witnessed a significant and encouraging shift towards gender diversity, with the number of women participating in the sector growing at an impressive pace. Historically dominated by men, the industry's transformation is a testament to the evolving attitudes and opportunities for women in modern society says Vanitha Naidoo, operations manager at Spedag South Africa."Women are not only finding their place in the freight industry, but are also proving their mettle by excelling in various roles, including leadership positions in management," she told Freight News."We have more women staff in our South African branch, and we have taken the initiative to ensure that all staff, especially the women, are allowed to study and further their careers within this industry."Wendy Zwane, Spedag South Africa's general manager, agrees, saying women are gradually making their mark in the freight sector. "Women are increasingly joining the freight sector, but they are also starting their own companies or moving into management, becoming directors and managing directors."This bodes well for the sector's future, say Naidoo and Zwane, considering that the biggest challenge for most women is that they are often looked down upon."Often, as a woman, you are just not taken seriously, and there is still the perception that men can do this job better, although this only holds up until a woman is given the task and excels at it. Then there is more inclination to trust her with specific tasks.”According to Naidoo, working in a male-dominated field can sometimes be very intimidating, especially when dealing with customers, service providers and even when speaking to fellow workers who all still think that freight jobs are better suited to men."On a positive note, companies are more willing to give women a chance to prove themselves based on experience and qualifications for available positions. The existing gender-based barriers are fast becoming a thing of the past. Women in the freight industry are becoming a force to be reckoned with," she says.Zwane says now more than ever coaching and mentoring are critical to encouraging women, empowering and uplifting them to take their rightful places as equal contributors in the workplace.
