Logistics Sector Welcomes Women, But Challenges Remain

Women's participation in logistics has undergone notable transformations in recent years. However, despite the advances made in the industry, significant challenges persist, demanding action to create a more inclusive and equitable working environment.

“The industry can promote women's inclusion by creating an inclusive organizational culture that encourages respect, collaboration, and diversity of opinions, as well as promoting female role models in leadership positions that can inspire other women who want to follow in their footsteps,” Astrid Abugaber, Managing Director, Abu Logistics, tells MBN.

According to a 2022 study by consulting firm Gartner, women make up 39% of the supply chain workforce, showing a slight decrease of 2% compared to the previous year. This decrease reveals the need to address barriers limiting female participation in the sector. 

On average, 31.6% of executives in corporate management in the trucking industry are women, according to the 2023 Women in Trucking (WIT) Index. The report also found that only 7.5% of technicians are women. And of the 470,000 total drivers assessed in the 2023 WIT Index, about 12.1% are women.

In Mexico, women have made strides in various economic activities, including shipping, accounting for 13.9% of the total occupation in 2020. However, INEGI reveals that only 11.4% of truckers are women.

On the other hand, according to the General Direction of Federal Road Transport (DGAF) data, the number of women operating vehicles in the federal transportation sector in Mexico has increased. Based on the number of licenses issued, this number has grown from 0.2% in 2018 to 0.7% in June 2023. Of the 691,026 federal licenses issued to operate Federal Road Transport and private transportation services, 4,858 are held by women with driving licenses. Of these female drivers, 81% operate cargo vehicles and 19% operate passenger vehicles. Among the total 255,466 permit holders in the sector, 25,706 are women. These women oversee 43,146 vehicles, or 2.6% of the overall fleet.

Abugaber tells MBN, that there are several challenges that women face in executive roles within the logistics industry, such as:

1. Gender gap in terms of opportunities, salaries, and recognition.

2. Gender stereotypes deeply rooted in society that can hinder women from being considered for leadership roles within the sector. 

3. Balancing work and family life, especially for those who are mothers, as it is an industry that never stops and requires long working hours and availability outside of office hours, on weekends, and holidays.

The Association of Women Truckers (AMO) is making strong efforts to professionalize women in the industry, says Paola Moncada, President, and Co-founder, AMO, to MBN. Women in the sector face two more major challenges: the financial burden of training and the need for entrepreneurs to provide work opportunities, says Moncada. AMO is actively addressing these challenges through three main programs: Conductoras SCANIA, VWoman with Volkswagen, and Mujeres Transformando la Ruta with the Government of Baja California. Moncada reveals that, thanks to ongoing recruitment opportunities, 216 women have been trained.

Women can help alleviate the truck driver shortage, says Moncada. According to CANACAR, the shortage of cargo truck drivers in Mexico will double by 2028 if significant measures are not implemented, increasing from 56,000 to 106,000 vacancies. 

Moncada also stresses the importance of recognizing women's work. She advocates for equal opportunities, the elimination of stereotypes, and fostering a more inclusive and equitable working environment for women in the logistics industry. Training has become a bridge to a more diverse and dynamic sector, she adds.

Abugaber has the following advice for women considering a career in logistics: “I would advise them to always be proactive, seek opportunities, not be afraid to take the initiative, trust themselves and their skills and abilities without being intimidated by the challenges they may encounter along the way, never lose focus of customer satisfaction, and look for innovative solutions to every logistics challenge.”