WiLAT launches Asia Forum

Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Asia Forum was launched recently in Singapore. Representatives from four WiLAT member countries were present. The event was hosted by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Singapore.

The mission of the forum is to promote the status of women in logistics and transport, to bring together those who support talent and career development of women and provide a support network and mentoring opportunities for women in the sector in line with the global WiLAT mission. Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Hong Kong were signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

WiLAT Sri Lanka Chairperson Gayani de Alwis signed the MoU on behalf of WiLAT Sri Lanka. Other WiLAT Asia forum members are India, China and Pakistan. WiLAT Asia is forming WiLAT fora in other countries to expand its footprint in Asia.

Past International President and WiLAT Global Advisor, Dr Dorothy Chan outlined the main objectives of the forum and commended the chairpersons for their tireless efforts to improve gender diversity to create value in the sector.

The Asia forum held its first meeting after the MoU signing ceremony. A walk was organised on January 7 by the WiLAT Singapore team to mark the occasion in Marina Bay area.

WiLAT is the women's forum of CILT. It is part of an expanding global network within CILT. The main objective of WiLAT is to promote and encourage the art and science of logistics and transport among women.

WiLAT is in 16 countries with over 1,600 members. WiLAT Sri Lanka is one of the five pioneering fora of the global network which was set up on March 21, 2013. Membership is open to women working in the public and private sector and in academia in the areas of logistics, transport, supply chain and supporting functions.

The WiLAT Sri Lanka forum provides a platform for women engaged in the industry to maximize their true potential professionally and personally.