The Women in Logistics and Trade in Nigeria (WILAT) has decried the poor representation of women in logistics and transport trade in Nigeria, calling for effective collaboration and support of the male gender to boost the growth and economy of Nigeria.
Speaking at the 2nd WILAT Day conference tagged “Women and Sustainable Development in the Logistics and Transport Sector”, International President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Dr. Dorothy Chan, said that the perception that the transport industry is not a feminine industry should be eradicated.
According to her, “Perception that it is not a very feminine industry, perception that it is male-dominated should not be celebrated.”
She stressed that men in the transport sector should give a large measure of support and mentorship to the female gender.
Chan advocated “support for mid-career women with measures such as flexible working location and times, male counterparts understanding with targets for hiring and promotion as well as mentorship programme and senior sponsorship.”
The CILT international president gave a statistics of countries faced with the challenge of poor representation in the transport and logistics sector.
According to her, “It showed that in the work force of countries like Canada 39% of women are in logistics and transport, 24 percent in Australia, 22% in Hong Kong of which 9% are of senior management positions, 12% of executive positions and 13% of board directorships respectively.
Speaking in the same vein, Secretary-General, Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central Africa, Mrs. Mfon Ekong Usoro, said a large number of Nigeria women are under- represented in transport and logistics sector.
“In 2004, for Ethiopia and Sierra Leone 39.9 percent represent the numbers of women in work force and 11.9 and 7.8 percents represent women in logistics and transport respectively,” she said.
Usoro also said women are under-represented in the formal employment sector with them making up only 21 percent of the non-agricultural labour force.
“Women occupy fewer than 30% of all posts in the public sector and only 17% of senior position,” she said.
According to her, “Very few women in Logistics and Transport in Nigeria are in operations or senior management.
“The problem is compounded by the lack of training programmes in many areas and an insufficient focus on learning and development.”
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