A stakeholder consultation on “Enabling Women Workforce Participation in Logistics Sector” was held at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi on March 22nd by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Its goal was to encourage women’s involvement in the logistics industry, which is essential to the country’s Viksit Bharat vision 2047.
Mr. Rajeev Singh Thakur, Additional Secretary, DPIIT, gave the keynote talk at the occasion and emphasized the value of gender diversity for the expansion and innovation of the logistics sector. His speech, which emphasized practical ideas and teamwork, set the tone for the day’s talks.
The consultation brought together over 50 professionals from a diverse group which included Industry Associations, MSMEs, Large Enterprises, Skill training institutes, academia, Bi-lateral and Multilateral institutes to discuss and strategize the way forward for gender inclusivity in logistics. The event underscored the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem that encourages and facilitates the involvement of women at all levels of the logistics chain.
The discussion dissected various challenges hindering women’s entry and retention in the logistics workforce. Topics ranged from infrastructural barriers to the need for policy reforms that prioritise women’s safety, training, and professional growth.
The discussions also shed light on the untapped potential of women in driving innovation and efficiency in logistics. Success stories and best practices from around the globe, illustrating the transformative impact of women’s increased involvement in the sector were also shared.
Going forward, the study will undertake extensive feedback from all the relevant stakeholders to prepare a roadmap for creating an enabling environment for increasing women workforce participation in the logistics sector.
