Our Women’s Network is a vibrant community committed to empowering and supporting the growth of women within our organization. This network serves as a supportive space for collaboration and mentorship, as well as both personal and professional development, celebrating the diversity, strength and achievements of our deugro colleagues.

The logistics industry, historically male-dominated, has created a legacy of being a challenging environment for women to thrive in. This environment has often hampered their career advancement opportunities and job satisfaction, ultimately reducing the number of women in the industry.

Gender stereotypes and bias have played a significant role in this issue, limiting career advancement opportunities. Challenges such as a lack of work–life balance, inadequate representation and inclusion, pay disparity, discrimination, and barriers to networking and mentorship have further contributed to the underrepresentation of women in the field.

Our Women’s Network was established to not only address these challenges holistically but to also support the organization in both enabling everyone to thrive and continuing to be an attractive employer for all employees.

In order to further enhancing gender equity within the deugro organization, the Women’s Network has focused its initiatives for 2024 across four key areas, such as:

Our network members asked and we listened. In our recent surveys, training emerged as one of the most requested topics. Our network members display a strong drive for self-improvement and development, and we have embraced this as a key goal in supporting their journey. Training is a cornerstone of our mission, enabling us to engage in meaningful development activities, exchange ideas and foster open dialogue.

We organize training sessions with an external trainer to help our female team members, in particular, to upskill and advance their careers. These sessions are designed to equip women with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the project forwarding industry.

Networking plays a crucial role in cultivating a dynamic community and supporting open dialogue. To this end, we organize networking events to provide a platform for women to connect, share experiences and build professional relationships that can aid in the advancement of their careers. This year, we set an ambitious goal of organizing networking events across all regions to foster connections among our teams. Our first session, hosted in Houston, was a resounding success in achieving this objective.

Building on the success of last year’s panel discussion, we are hosting digital panel discussions this year as well. These panels provide an invaluable opportunity to learn from industry leaders, share insights and discuss strategies for overcoming challenges in the workplace.

Recently, we held a panel discussion “Overcoming Inequality: Creating Opportunities out of Problems”. Our three inspiring speakers shared personal insights and experiences on how they have turned problems into opportunities in their lives. The panel provided the audience with new perspectives and practical ideas to improve their own situations, as inequality has become one of the most complex challenges in the global economy.

Our Italian adventure took participants to the scenic landscapes of Lake Garda, where they experienced the thrill of racing at South Garda Karting and enjoyed a serene boat ride exploring the beauty of the region.

Peer coaching was the most requested topic by our members, which aligns with our mission to engage in development activities and open dialogue. We are in the process of establishing a peer coaching program to provide ongoing support and guidance, helping women to navigate their career paths and achieve their professional goals.

Essentially, our network is committed to driving positive change within the organization. We aim to review and improve existing organizational processes to enhance inclusivity and efficiency. By promoting diversity, fostering an inclusive culture, establishing mentorship programs, raising awareness, and strengthening reporting mechanisms, we are working toward creating a more equitable and supportive workplace.