Behind every successful delivery, there’s a woman in logistics who orchestrated it all. Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the dedication, innovation, and unwavering spirit of the women who keep our supply chains moving forward. Continuing out Women’s Day series, we have insights from Ayesha Katgara, Head Corporate Strategy, Jeena & Company, who believes that we must celebrate and honour women’s achievements not just on International Women’s Day but throughout the year. Here are the excerpts-

1. How do you think we can celebrate and honour the achievements of women in the cargo and logistics industry on International Women’s Day, and throughout the year?

As logistics is a male-inclined industry, the achievements of women in this industry are worth appreciating. We must celebrate and honour their achievements not just on International Women’s Day but throughout the year. In order to do so, the least we can do is treat them with equality; equal learning and growth opportunities as their male counterparts in the industry and give them the recognition that they deserve.

2. Can you share any challenges you’ve faced as a woman working in the cargo and logistics industry, and also, how did you overcome them?

Choosing cargo and logistics industry as my career was the first challenge that I accepted having known the fact that it is an industry that is largely dominated by men. I was all the more motivated to drive a positive change in this industry by being an integral part of it and create an impact through my leadership. Having said that, I must acknowledge the fact that I have been extremely fortunate to be mentored by supremely experienced people like my father and uncles who not only made my induction in the industry easier but also have been guiding me since inception.

3. How can women in the cargo and logistics industry take advantage of the opportunities created by digitisation to advance their careers and make a meaningful impact in the industry?

Digitization has transformed the cargo and logistics industry, providing new opportunities for women to advance their careers and make a meaningful impact. Here are some ways women in the industry can take advantage of these opportunities:

Build digital skills: The digitization of the industry has created a demand for professionals with digital skills. Women can acquire these skills by taking online courses, attending webinars and workshops, and working on digital projects. Some of the digital skills that are in demand in the cargo and logistics industry include data analytics, automation, artificial intelligence, and blockchain.

Network: Women in the industry can leverage their networks to gain access to new opportunities. They can join professional organizations, attend conferences, and participate in industry events. Networking with peers and mentors can help women stay up to date on the latest trends in the industry and learn about new opportunities for career growth.

Embrace innovation: Digitization has opened up new possibilities for innovation in the industry. Women can take advantage of these opportunities by being open to new ideas, exploring new technologies, and experimenting with new approaches to solving problems.

Seek out leadership opportunities: Women in the industry can seek out leadership opportunities that allow them to take on more responsibility and make a greater impact. They can volunteer for leadership roles in professional organizations or take on leadership roles within their companies.

Be vocal: They can make a meaningful impact by speaking up and advocating for themselves and others. By leveraging digital media, they can share their ideas and insights with colleagues and leaders, and they can be vocal about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry.

4. What advice would you give to young women who are interested in pursuing a career in the cargo and logistics industry?

Those who are interested in pursuing a career in the cargo and logistics industry, I would like to tell them that there is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise. If you are determined, nothing can stop you. Rise and shine!

5. Please share an excerpt from your journey or any of your experiences working as a woman in the cargo/logistics industry.

When I joined this industry, I had a clear objective of adopting new-age technologies and embracing digitization initiatives actively in our day to day operations in order to make our organization more agile. Since then, I have been inching towards it one step at a time. Well, it’s not easy to strike the right balance between value-based and agile functioning. However, this has been my favourite challenge that I intended to take up by joining our family business which has righteous principles to live by.