Kmart national transport manager says men need to welcome women into the industry.
Closing the gender imbalance gap within the transport and logistics industry starts with men recognising and welcoming women, according to one of the industry’s leading females.
Kmart National Transport Manager Michelle Bowden says little has changed during the 12 years she’s been involved in the industry.
Speaking at yesterday’s International Women’s Day breakfast organised by the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), Bowden tells ATN the industry can be “harsh and egoistical”.
“Guys, like girls, don’t know everything so if they don’t know how to develop and welcome females into their business then there are plenty of us out there who are happy to help. All they need to do is ask,” Bowden says.
“Men have a critical role in recognising and developing women. They need to welcome and develop females into supply chain – it’s probably not the most welcoming place but they have the role because they are the dominant sex in this industry.”
International Women’s day is on March 8, and Bowden says the event is a time to reflect where women are in the transport and logistics sector. She says the ratio of women compared to men is moving “very slowly”.
“If it keeps going the way that we are we’ll only maybe grow by an extra 2 per cent and that’s clearly not good enough,” she says.