Industry organisation the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa (CILTSA) will host the Women in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain Empowerment Conference at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, in Gauteng, on September 26.

Women comprise nearly half the workforce in the industry, yet hold fewer than a quarter of senior leadership positions and the conference's theme is “Fuel Her Rise: Leadership in Motion”.

According to supply chain management association the Professional Body for Supply Chain Management's (SAPICS's) Women in Supply Chain Leadership Survey, 89% of men state that career advancement opportunities are equal for both genders, but only 57% of women surveyed feel the same way, with more than a third of women respondents strongly disagreeing.

Additionally, the gender pay gap remains a significant concern, with only 25% of women believing salaries are equal compared with 63% of men. Further, 45% of women suspect men are paid more for the same work, says CILTSA executive director Catherine Larkin.

“The disconnect between male and female perceptions of workplace equity is deeply concerning. If male leaders don't see a problem, it's harder to solve one. This conference is designed to bridge that gap while empowering women with the skills, networks and confidence needed to drive change,” she says.

Internationally, women make up about 41% of the supply chain workforce, but hold only 23% of VP-level roles. In South Africa, women account for about 28% of the logistics and transport sector workforce.

Further, research from the Peterson Institute for International Economics, involving 21 980 companies across 91 nations, found that having greater female leadership correlates with a 15% rise in profitability, while management advisory company McKinsey & Company reports consistently show companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are more likely to achieve above-average profitability, she points out.

The logistics, transport and supply chain industry increasingly recognises that women bring valuable skillsets including exceptional organisational abilities, strategic planning capabilities and collaborative leadership styles, says Larkin.

“Research published in Harvard Business Review indicates that companies with higher-than-average diversity in leadership teams report greater revenue from new products and services, while studies show gender-diverse teams excel at complex problem-solving.”

The 2025 Women in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain Empowerment Conference will address key issues, including developing confidence and asserting authority in the logistics, transport and supply chain sector; overcoming challenges and seizing leadership opportunities; and accelerating women's advancement through tools and technologies, as well as showcase the learnings from the transformative journeys of those who attended the 2024 conference, she says.

Further, the conference will feature the new Imbokodo Hub, which is a dedicated exhibition space for small businesses. This initiative provides tangible opportunities for connection and business growth within the community, with particular focus on supporting women-owned and -managed small, medium-sized and microenterprises.

The conference is designed for both seasoned leaders and emerging professionals across logistics, transport and supply chain sectors, she says.

“The conference provides opportunities for female business owners, employees and executives to connect with one another and help one another succeed in their careers.”