WiLAT, a vibrant force in logistics and transport sector

A strong woman can build a firm foundation with the bricks others throw at her, Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Chairperson Gayani de Alwis told the WiLAT Annual General Meeting last week in Colombo.

This year's AGM was held on the theme 'Inspiration to make it happen'.

She said women are a vibrant force without which no country could make economic progress. Women employed all industries play a dominant role in the tea and apparel sectors. Their contribution from overseas jobs boosts the foreign reserves of the country.

WiLAT provides a forum for women to engage and network with the industry with job opportunities to be leading professionals in the industry.

"The representation of women in the logistics and transport industry is still around 12 percent due to lack of awareness of career opportunities in different sectors of the industry. The good news is that six women were elected to the CILT Executive committee at this year's CILT AGM which is encouraging," the chairperson said.

She said WiLAT will conduct a series of promotional and exposure programs to encourage more women to join the rapidly expanding industry. WiLAT marked its maiden anniversary last year and celebrated World Women's Day with a panel discussion on the theme 'Can women change the dynamics of transport and logistics industry'. A delegation from Sri Lanka attended the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) international convention in Malacca last year. WiLAT was represented by the chairperson and regional coordinator, South Asia.