Gender diversity is well recognized as one of the great areas of opportunity for organizations across the supply chain. The fact that women are under-represented in our industry is unacceptable and ensuring a balance in all forms of diversity, cultural, skills/experience and gender is essential for a healthy business environment. It's been my pleasure towork with Mark worldwide over the last decade and in particular to support his work promoting the need for greater participation, engagement and recognition of women in the workplace globally.' Kimble Winter, Global CEO, Logistics Executive Group. Women in logistics and transport With the vision to be the most sought after group for advocacy, professionalism and empowerment of women in supply chain, logistics and transport' the WiLATorganization (Women in Logistics and Transport) is the first and largest female professional body in the global logistics and transport sector. Initially convened in Lagos, Nigeria in June 2012, Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT) was founded by a group of female members of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is the leading professional body associated with logistics and transport. With over 33,000 members working in over 100 countries worldwide, ClLT holds unparalleled professional international recognition. Established in 1919 and receiving its Royal Charter in 1926, the principal objective of the Institute is 'to promote and advance the art and science of logistics and transport' which CILT achieves through both its membership and its educational qualifications. The Institute encourages women working within the world of supply chain, logistics and transport. The mission of WiLAT is to promote the status of women in logistics and transport, to bring together those who support talent and career development of women and to provide a support network and mentoring opportunities for women in the sector. By June 2014 WiLAT had over 1,600 members in 14 countries and continues to grow, with WiLAT Founder and Global Convenor, Aisha Ali Ibrahim, commenting: 'We are enjoying great success in cultivating a spirit of togetherness to survive in a male-dominated industry.' Conclusion As the leading industry organization furthering the cause of gender diversity, WiLAT helps individuals with career development and: - serves as a pool for competent women in the industry that can key into government gender policies in the industry; - sources, grooms and sustains women in the male-dominated industry; - serves as an anchor for the women, through work life and during retirement; - gives room for Hexibility in career growth and development through the CILT; - offers community services amongst other programmes for women and children concerning trancportation; - enables a holistic approach to solving challenges in the industry, as networking enables knowledge of the individual challenges of the differentmodes and expectation from others; - serves as a professional female voice for the industry. The nature of the industry requires dealing with people from all watks of ife. it is not percolved as an elegant industry and hence has been dominated in the past by males. However, the industry has evolved with globalication and technology advancements. 4 A exccutives - Adaptive, Agile, Aligned, Architecting - are required to cope with today's challenges and these are the innateness of women to handie.' Vicky Koo, Convenor and Co founder, WhLAT Hong Kong. Discussion Questions: 1. Identify and explain various initiatives taken by WiLAT for incorporating and uplifing the career of women in supply chain, logistics and transportation industry. 2. Identify and explain some other initiatives you believe that WiLAT should have taken to enhance to number of women in supply chain, logistics and transportation industry. 3. Do you think that in male dominant industry needs women to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness specifically in supply chain, logistics and transportation industry? Critically argue in favor or against of statement