DPIIT releases a study on boosting women’s participation in logistics, addressing key challenges and policy recommendations.

Commerce and Industry, has released a pioneering study titled “Enabling Women’s Participation in India’s Logistics Sector.” The study, developed in collaboration with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the Indo-German Development Cooperation project “Climate Friendly Green Freight Transport in India (Green Freight Project),” examines the current status of women’s participation in logistics, highlights key challenges, and proposes strategic interventions to foster gender diversity.

The logistics industry, a rapidly expanding sector expected to reach $380 billion by 2025, remains largely male-dominated. The study identifies both supply-side barriers, such as gaps in education and skill development, and demand-side challenges, including inadequate workplace infrastructure and cultural biases. To address these, it proposes a three-tiered approach with interventions at the ecosystem, industry, and firm levels.

Releasing the study, DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia underscored the importance of gender inclusion in logistics, linking it to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat and the National Logistics Policy. “Women-led development is critical for India’s economic progress. Ensuring equitable participation in high-growth sectors like logistics is not just a matter of inclusion but an economic imperative,” he stated.

Bhatia also emphasised the role of education in changing societal perceptions. “Women possess capabilities equal to men. The real challenge lies in shifting mindsets and creating an ecosystem that supports their participation by addressing their unique workplace requirements,” he added.

The study is expected to drive policy reforms, encourage industry-wide gender inclusivity, and pave the way for a more diverse and resilient logistics sector in India.

Source: PIB