The logistics industry has long been dominated by men, but in recent years, there has been a significant shift towards gender diversity. Thanks to a relentless focus on promoting gender equality in the workplace, the industry has started recognizing women’s talent, resulting in increased efficiency across the board.
Back in 2010, only 8% of the logistics workforce worldwide was female, but by 2018, that number had risen to 20% globally, with India seeing a 15% increase in female logistics workers. CJ Darcl, a logistics company in India, is committed to promoting gender equality and has aggressively pursued diversity hiring programs. As a result, the organization now has almost five times more female employees than it did two years ago.
One of the main factors contributing to the industry's shift towards gender diversity is the adoption of a skill-based approach to recruitment. As a result, a diverse set of employees is now seen as essential to improving efficiency, and individuals who have the most to offer are given priority, regardless of gender.
This shift in mindset has led to a new level of open-mindedness when it comes to the roles of women in the industry, and women are now taking on leadership roles at senior and mid-management levels, as well as operational and technical roles.
Several socio-economic factors have contributed to this shift, including the "de-genderization" of roles, the introduction of technology and machinery to assist with heavy lifting, and a willingness to train freshers and build their skills, promoting gender diversity by default.
While progress has been made, the logistics industry has yet to attain complete gender equality, and much work is needed. Companies must continue to address the major issues that are holding women back and work towards making the workplace truly inclusive for everyone.