The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa’s (Ciltsa) recent Women Empowerment Conference provided professionals with networking opportunities and a platform to challenge and overcome the gender gap that persists in the industry.
The conference, which took place in Johannesburg on Friday, directly tackled the gender gap, highlighting statistics which show that while women comprise a significant portion of the global supply chain workforce, accounting for around 41% of staff, leadership roles remain heavily male-dominated.
According to consulting firm Gartner, just 23% of vice president-level positions are held by women, while in South Africa women comprise only 28% of the logistics and transport sector workforce.
A recent survey by the Professional Body for Supply Chain Management (Sapics) has also highlighted persistent gender inequality within the profession. According to the survey, 64% of female respondents reported experiencing or witnessing gender discrimination in the workplace. Additionally, 36% of women indicated that salaries for men were higher in their organisations, and 70% had encountered resistance when leading male colleagues.
However, Ciltsa executive director Catherine Larkin said the conference had also tackled issues beyond statistics.
“Our aim is to foster a supportive community through networking, mentorship, and the exchange of best practices. By bringing women together from across transport, logistics, and the supply chain, it allows them to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another,” Larkin said.
“This collaborative environment is key to inspiring the next generation of female leaders. It’s all about empowered women, empowering women.”
She added that the event aligned with broader industry goals of promoting diversity and inclusion and gave women a platform to confront gender issues by equipping them with the tools and networks needed to overcome challenges.
The conference also connected women to tangible business opportunities and gave them the chance to share knowledge, tools, and resources to foster collaboration.
