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actively promoted across the air cargo indus-
try, they are seeing more females becoming
role models, and being prominent at various
international conferences and forums, as well
as in social media.
“This in turn will encourage more young
women to join the industry in the future,
bringing fresh ideas and additional labour
to support the growth of the industry in the
long term. With such success in realizing
gender equality, the air cargo industry will
also develop improved social inclusion
for people of varying nationalities, back-
grounds, sexual orientations and so on. air cargo spectrum because organisations
They will be treated more fairly and given understand the benefits of having significant
the same opportunities to grow in their female representation in their workforce.
careers in the industry,” she said. “For decades, the logistics industry
On the same line, Emma Oliver, director, stakeholders worked tirelessly to promote
cargo sales – EMEA & APAC at American gender diversity and allow women to ac-
Airlines spoke about the need to celebrate cess jobs previously reserved for men. Quite
female leaders. quickly, the industry and the organizations
“The old adage ‘you cannot be what you There are some within recognized the value of women
cannot see’ rings true here, there are some working in the offices, on ramps, as forklift
really inspirational female leaders within our really inspirational drivers, or as cargo handlers. Hiring a
industry, but if they are not recognized and female leaders within woman became not a burden because
celebrated, if they aren’t featured in industry women delivered,” she said.
and wider press coverage, or aren’t speaking our industry, but if they “The companies restructured and trans-
at our conferences, their scope of influence is are not recognized and formed to offer mentorship programmes,
reduced and that would be such a waste of comprehensive training, or upskilling
the talent and role models we have,” she said. celebrated, if they aren’t programmes for mothers returning after
maternity leave. The hours, shifts, and condi-
Benefits of gender equality featured in industry and tions became more flexible. Female workers
Failing to attract more women, ensuring wider press coverage, became recognized. Specialized, gender-
diversity and equal opportunity in the centered networking events, initiatives, and
workforce and senior leadership can be or aren’t speaking at collaborations provided the proper forums to
disastrous for the global air cargo industry. our conferences, their promote females and offered opportunities
On the other hand, diversity can positively to be heard,” she added.
impact the business for growth and organi- scope of influence is However, Ferreira also reminded that the
sation of great culture. reduced and that would logistics industry is still seen as male-domi-
For instance, the World Bank report’s nated and male-led, whereas equal opportu-
lead author Tea Trumbic noted that, “Today, be such a waste of the nities and equal pay should be normalised.
barely half of women participate in the
global workforce, compared with nearly talent and role models Eliminating gender biases
three out of every four men. This is not just we have. Even though there is progress made in the
unfair—it’s wasteful.” recent past, the global air cargo industry
Li of Hactl argues that women have al- Emma Oliver remains male-oriented with the major-
ready demonstrated to the air cargo industry American Airlines Cargo ity of the leadership positions occupied.
the potential benefits of gender equality. However, the future should involve creat-
“Greater female presence at senior levels air cargo industry when more females are ing a professional landscape that is free
encourages industry practitioners to be present in management roles, is the behav- from gender biases. The overarching goal
more receptive to new ideas, new concepts ioural changes in the working environment. is to ensure that women achieve equitable
and new norms,” she said. There is a real tendency for greater respect representation, acknowledgement, and
She added, “The broader perspective and tolerance to be shown to coworkers, and influence in this sector.
which women introduce to business can less prejudice based on physical weakness, Ferreira pointed out some studies that
result in greater agility and better responses whether or not related to gender.” show females are less confident and willing
to serious business issues. A very positive Meanwhile, Ferreira pointed out that to put forward their names for a new job
influence that can commonly be seen in the women are getting recognised across the or a promotion. “Would the nomination
6 | MARCH 2024 www.stattimes.com