As it is the case in some other fields, the problem of gender imbalance in logistics has a long history. You might argue that this kind of issue does not pertain solely to the transport sector, which is true. However, in logistics, the gender gap between women and men appears quite striking. Many studies confirm that the lack of gender diversity in the digital era may only lead to loss of opportunities for businesses around the globe because, in this regard, the equality always translates into a better decision-making process. The only way of solving this problem is to empower women in logistics, as well as in the other male-dominated industries.
A brief overview of the gender gap between women and men in logistics
Even though the statistics vary from country to country, let us have a look at some interesting figures proving that the problem of the gender gap between women and men in logistics has evolved quite significantly over the recent period.
| Year | Country | Percentage of male workers in logistics | Percentage of female workers in logistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | USA | Around 65% | Around 35% |
| 2019 | UK | Around 74% | Around 24% |
| 2018 | Europe overall | Around 78% | Around 22% |
| 2017 | Australia | Around 78% | Around 22% |
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This table provides the overall picture regarding the gender imbalance in logistics. It should be noted that the above numbers do not show how low the percentage of women is on key personnel positions, especially when it comes to top management.
According to the official data published by the US ISM in 2017, the gender gap between women and men in logistics is especially tangible when it comes to wages. In this sector, male workers earn almost 30 per cent more than their female colleagues on the American market.
At Eurosender, we understand how important it is to address this issue. As a multinational company recognized as one of the industry leaders, we strive to implement the best innovative practices. We are convinced that empowering women in logistics and promoting their professional development is the right way to go.
As of December 2019, the percentage of female workers in our company is over 40 %. We are happy to hire highly skilled specialists regardless of their sex, ethnicity, age, colour, religion, sexual orientation and marital status. We can also proudly say that the wage rate at Eurosender depends exclusively on the employee’s skills and results, and not on the gender role.
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What are the causes of gender imbalance in logistics?
The phenomenon of the predominance of strong sex in the logistics field can be attributed to two main factors:
- Stereotypes regarding the ideal profile of a logistics industry worker
Let us be frank: erroneous public perception can often cause controversy. In the case of logistics, even nowadays people (yes, even ladies) still imagine heavy loads, trucks and muscle work. In fact, the transport sector can offer multiple types of careers both for women and men, including but not limited to: IT, engineering, management, analytics, customer service, etc.
- Small number of female logistics graduates
Here, it would also be useful to turn to statistical data: 65 per cent of specialized logistics graduates are men. To improve the situation, the higher education institutions and the market leaders need to do more to promote public understanding of the hidden gems of the logistics and supply chain industry. Once again, it often comes to incorrect perceptions. Hopefully, this problem can be easily solved through information campaigns.
How to erase the gender imbalance in logistics?
At this stage, the question is still open regarding the possible ways of addressing the inequality-related issues in the professional world, especially in the sectors that are traditionally considered as being male-dominated, such as logistics. Now that we know the factors having led to this problem, we can find a way to make things better. As an important industry player who knows that women contribute a lot to boosting the company’s performance, here at Eurosender, we can recommend the following steps:
- Adopt new working models (flexible working hours, open-minded management, etc.);
- Promote and develop the careers of female employees;
- Elaborate effective retention strategies;
- Improve the work-life balance and family-friendliness;
- Inspire female workers by publishing real-life success stories of women who have contributed to transforming the logistics industry.
We hope that you have found some useful information in this article. If you are a student willing to build an amazing career in logistics, or an individual open to new opportunities and interested in developing your skills in this sector, we will gladly welcome you in our friendly multinational team regardless of your gender identity. Send us your CV at career@eurosender.com!
Disclaimer: The statistics provided in this article were collected from multiple trusted sources to be used for general information purposes only. Given that social trends have a changing nature, the above data could be subject to change.
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