Page 23 - ITLN May-June 2025

The shift from While the logistics
‘why should we industry has historically
hire women?’ to seen women step away
‘how can we help due to life transitions,
them thrive here?’ we're now seeing
is real. encouraging shifts.
Aditi Kumar Zaiba Sarang
TVS ILP iThink

sector, with projections aiming to reach thoughtful policy can turn inclusion and maternity benefits to childcare
20% by 2024. into lasting transformation. support and mentoring programmes.
At DHL, women are not only “As an employer, we strive to create
entering support roles but also Driving change from within: The an environment that enables women
thriving in operations, warehousing, gender inclusion push to pursue their career ambitions while
and last-mile delivery—areas once While the broader logistics sector in navigating both natural and social
considered unsuitable for them. India continues to grapple with low challenges,” she explains. Despite
“We also have women couriers, with female representation, companies legacy challenges in logistics, change
tailored shifts from 8 AM to 3 PM like Maersk India are actively working is underway. “I've visited facilities
to support their work-life balance,” to reverse the trend. “Maersk takes where the workforce was 100% male,
Sengupta shares. “What is most Diversity, Equity & Inclusion very and even if women wanted to work
encouraging is the low attrition rate seriously and runs various programmes there, they would be discouraged
among them—just 1–2%, which to empower women at every level and because basic infrastructure like
speaks volumes about the culture we in multiple roles to help them build and changing rooms and appropriate
have created.” develop great careers,” says Dr. Seema washrooms weren't available.”
DHL Express India is also increasing Narera, Vertical Head FMCG – India Dr. Narera believes the evolving
female leadership. “Almost one at Maersk. Initiatives like the 'Equal nature of logistics presents an
in three members of our senior At Sea' programme, which aims for a opportunity for inclusive growth.
management team is comprised of 50% female cadet intake by 2027, and “The keyword in logistics used to be
women. This includes our CFO, a rare women-led warehouse shifts in Dadri ‘efficiency,’ but today it's ‘agility’—the
and inspiring example in the world of and Chennai, reflect this commitment. ability to unlearn and learn. I see women
finance,” Sengupta notes. “We focus not only on providing excelling in this space due to their
Globally, DHL has committed to employment opportunities but also inherent flexibility of thought and action.”
30% women in management roles, on running upskilling programmes to She adds, “Women are not just fitting
with India contributing through ensure that the women in our company into logistics—they are redefining it.”
initiatives like unconscious bias thrive and rise to take leadership roles.”
training and structured leadership The company has implemented From warehouses to boardrooms:
pathways for women. DHL’s approach a range of women-specific HR Shifting culture at scale
shows how committed leadership and policies—from flexible working hours At TVS ILP, inclusion is more than
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