In an industry where women comprise nearly half the workforce yet hold fewer than a quarter of senior leadership positions, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa (CILTSA) is leading a critical conversation on gender disparity. The Institute has announced its highly anticipated Women in Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain Empowerment Conference 2025, a transformative event designed to shatter glass ceilings and accelerate female advancement in one of South Africa’s most critical economic sectors.
Taking place on Friday, 26th September 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg, this year’s conference is themed “Fuel Her Rise: Leadership in Motion.”
Addressing Systemic Gender Challenges
The conference comes at a critical time when recent research reveals alarming disparities in how workplace equity is perceived across genders in the supply chain sector. According to SAPICS’s latest Women in Supply Chain Leadership Survey, whilst 89% of men assert that career advancement opportunities are equal for both genders, only 57% of women surveyed feel the same way, with more than a third of women respondents strongly disagreeing.
The gender pay gap remains a significant concern, with only 25% of women believing salaries are equal compared to 63% of men. Most troubling, 45% of women suspect that men are paid more for the same work.
“The disconnect between male and female perceptions of workplace equity is deeply concerning,” says 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.”
Global Context Highlights Urgent Need
Internationally, women comprise approximately 41% of the supply chain workforce, yet hold only 23% of Vice President-level roles. In South Africa, the situation is even more challenging, with women accounting for around 28% of the logistics and transport sector workforce.
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, whilst McKinsey & Company reports consistently show companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are more likely to achieve above-average profitability.
Breaking Down Barriers Through Education and Networking
The 2025 conference will address key issues, including: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Developing confidence and asserting authority in the logistics, transport and supply chain sector; Navigating the Gender Gap: Overcoming challenges and seizing leadership opportunities; Breaking Barriers: Accelerating women’s advancement through tools and technologies and; From Insights to Impact: Learnings from the transformative journeys of those who attended the 2024 conference.
Introducing the Imbokodo Hub
This year’s conference features an exciting new addition: the Imbokodo Hub, 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 SMMEs (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises).
Opportunities for Professional Growth
The conference also offers attendees access to: Inspiring keynote speakers from across the industry; High-impact panel discussions addressing real workplace challenges; Strategic networking opportunities with professionals from across South Africa and beyond, as well as practical sessions on leadership development, transformation, and inclusion.
This conference provides incredible opportunities for female business owners, employees and executives to connect with one another, discuss their struggles and concerns, and help one another succeed in their careers. This powerful event can be career-altering, creating lasting professional relationships and providing access to mentorship opportunities.
Industry Recognition of Women’s Contributions
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.
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, whilst studies show gender-diverse teams excel at complex problem-solving.
Registration and Event Details
Conference registration is now open, with limited seats available. The conference is designed for both seasoned leaders and emerging professionals across logistics, transport, and supply chain sectors.
For more information, visit https://www.ciltsa.events/women-empowerment-conference or email info@ciltsa.org.za or call +27 87 133 0525 / +27 83 300 0331.
ENDS
