As the logistics, transport, and supply chain sectors continue to play a pivotal role in South Africa’s economy, the conversation surrounding gender disparity within the workforce has taken centre stage. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa (CILTSA) is at the helm of this essential dialogue, launching its much-anticipated Women in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain Empowerment Conference 2025. Set to take place on Friday, 26th September 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg, this year’s theme, “Fuel Her Rise: Leadership in Motion,” embodies the spirit of transformation and advancement for women in these critical fields.
Despite women constituting nearly half of the logistics workforce, they occupy fewer than a quarter of senior leadership positions. The emergence of this conference coincides with alarming findings from SAPICS’s Women in Supply Chain Leadership Survey. While a commendable 89% of men believe that career advancement opportunities are equal, a mere 57% of women share this sentiment. Disturbingly, over one-third of the women respondents strongly disagree with the notion of equality in career growth.
Moreover, the gender pay gap remains a pressing concern. Only 25% of women feel that their salaries are on par with their male counterparts, in stark contrast to the 63% of men who hold this belief. Even more troubling is the sentiment among women, where 45% suspect they are paid less than men for equivalent work. “The disconnect between male and female perceptions of workplace equity is deeply concerning,” states CILTSA Executive Director Catherine Larkin. “If male leaders don’t see a problem, it’s harder to solve one. This conference is designed to bridge that gap whilst empowering women with the skills, networks, and confidence needed to drive change.”
The global context amplifies the urgency of these discussions. Internationally, women represent approximately 41% of the supply chain workforce, yet they hold only 23% of Vice President-level roles. In South Africa, this figure is even lower, with women constituting just 28% of the logistics and transport sector’s workforce. Research from the Peterson Institute for International Economics underscores the correlation between female leadership and financial success—companies with increased female representation in leadership roles report a 15% rise in profitability. Furthermore, studies from McKinsey & Company consistently demonstrate that organisations with higher gender diversity in their top quartile are more likely to reap above-average profitability.
CILTSA’s upcoming conference will tackle pressing topics, including: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome; Navigating the Gender Gap; Breaking Barriers through tools and technologies; and From Insights to Impact, drawing learnings from the transformative journeys of past conference attendees. This year’s event will also showcase the Imbokodo Hub, a groundbreaking exhibition area dedicated to small businesses, particularly aimed at fostering connections and growth among women-owned and managed SMMEs (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises).
Participants will find numerous opportunities for professional development, including inspiring keynote speakers, impactful panel discussions that delve into real challenges, extensive networking possibilities with industry professionals, and practical sessions focused on leadership development, transformation, and inclusion. The conference promises to be a pivotal moment for female business owners, employees, and executives—a platform for sharing experiences, discussing concerns, and creating lasting professional relationships.
As the logistics, transport, and supply chain industry increasingly recognises the multi-faceted skills women bring—ranging from strategic planning to collaborative leadership—the call for gender equity is louder than ever. Research published in the Harvard Business Review suggests that organisations with higher gender-diverse leadership teams not only receive greater revenue from new products and services but also excel in complex problem-solving.
