NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 22 – Gender and Affirmative Action PS Veronica Nduva is calling for the establishment of a Women in Logistics Association.
She said that the body will help attract more women into the transport ecosystem.
Speaking at the launch of the ‘She Delivers Program’ at the Ponty Pridd Holdings Limited event, Nduva said that there are numerous barriers impeding women from wanting to join or remain in the industry.
“Traditionally, the logistics industry has traditionally been regarded as ‘no place for a woman’. and this is true by the data available on various studies that show women massively under-represented in the industry despite their higher number in the Kenyan population and labour market,” said the PS.
She lauded the She Delivers initiative, touting it as a significant project that will bridge the gender gap in the logistic and transport industries.
She Delivers is an internship programme aimed at bridging the gender gap in the industry.
It will train 80 women annually (6-month internship programme for 20 interns per cycle, churning out 80 per year) in transport and logistics.
“We believe that diversity is essential for driving innovation and progress in the transport and logistics sectors,” Anthony Wainaina, CEO of Ponty Pridd Holdings, said.
“She Delivers, our Women in Transport and Logistics Program is a testament to our commitment to empowering women, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on the industry.”
The program is set to kick off on September 21, 2023, and will continue to operate on an annual basis.
Ponty Pridd Holdings invited all interested parties, including potential mentees, mentors, and industry stakeholders, to support the initiative.
Ibrahim Abdi, Senior Deputy Secretary, State Department of Transport, said that the programme is a commitment to increase women’s participation in the transport sector.
“This initiative will address the entry barriers & shattering the stereotypes that dominate this space and hinder their potential to excel,” Abdi said.
“It will attract more female into the industry and ultimately create a space for them to thrive under a banner of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
