Page 24 - ITLN May-June 2025

Special Report
Women
in logistics

a buzzword—it’s embedded in
design, leadership, and long-term
strategy. From rethinking warehouse
infrastructure to mentoring high-
potential talent, the company is
redefining what gender inclusivity
looks like in logistics.
“Representation matters—not
just symbolically, but for structural
transformation,” says Aditi Kumar,
Executive Director, TVS ILP. “We’re
actively working to reimagine our
logistics parks and warehouses with
inclusivity in mind—this includes
gender-sensitive facilities, mentorship Women are not
programmes, and leadership tracks for just fitting into logistics—
high-potential women.” they are redefining it.
In a sector where infrastructure
has long excluded women—from lack Dr. Seema Narera
of safe washrooms to mobility and Maersk
security concerns—TVS ILP’s approach
marks a significant shift. The company a gender-diverse workforce goes To turn intent into action, CJ Darcl
reported a 22% rise in its female far beyond recruitment. “We’re has introduced dedicated leadership
workforce post-pandemic, driven by focusing on inclusive hiring, but also programmes for women, paired with
a growing interest among women in skilling and leadership development. workplace infrastructure, safety
operations and logistics roles. From transport supervisors to HR audits, and feedback loops. “Safety and
“This growth isn’t limited to and finance roles, we are seeing culture are deal breakers. We ensure
leadership positions,” says Kumar. encouraging traction when women are regular sensitisation, infrastructure
“We’re seeing more women at mid-level given visible pathways and supportive audits, and feedback loops with our
and functional roles, strengthening the environments,” she says. women employees,” Agarwal notes.
future leadership pipeline.” This approach is delivering She believes a diverse team is a
TVS ILP’s commitment reflects a results. As of March 31, 2025, 26% business advantage. “Companies
broader industry evolution. Companies of leadership roles at CJ Darcl are benefit from diverse teams, and
like Mahindra Logistics are also held by women, with many more creating an inclusive environment
revamping shop floors and introducing contributing across the company’s helps attract and retain more women
support systems like mentorship and operational network. The digitalisation in logistics.”
parental counselling to retain women of logistics processes has further
in core operations. opened up roles and workflows, Startup perspective of the
Kumar credits the momentum to contributing to a 10% increase in CJ logistics sector
both regulatory pushes—like SEBI Darcl’s female workforce between FY Gender disparity remains a challenge
mandates and the 2013 Companies 2023 and FY 2025. across much of the logistics startup
Act—and internal shifts. “The shift “A common myth I’ve worked to ecosystem, especially in tech-driven
from ‘why should we hire women?’ to dispel is that women don’t fit well in roles. But some companies are actively
‘how can we help them thrive here?’ is the supply chain industry because working to close the gap. At iThink
real,” she says. of its demanding nature,” - Mahima Logistics, 35% of the leadership and
At TVS ILP, inclusion isn’t just an Agarwal, CJ Darcl Logistics operational team are women—well
HR initiative—it’s a growth enabler. Agarwal is clear about the myths that above the industry average.
And it sets a strong benchmark for need to be challenged. “A common myth “At iThink Logistics, we’ve
the logistics sector’s journey from I’ve worked to dispel is that women consciously built a gender-diverse
intention to action. don’t fit well in the supply chain industry team from day one,” says Zaiba
because of its demanding nature,” Sarang, Co-founder. “We realised
Impact of the HR playbook on she says. “The truth is, women bring early that women bring operational
gender inclusiveness valuable skills like problem-solving, resilience and nuanced problem-
For Mahima Agarwal, President – strategic thinking, and leadership, solving to logistics, which is critical
HR at CJ Darcl Logistics, building which are crucial for logistics.” when you’re scaling fast.”
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