Building a career in logistics demands resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Professionals must navigate complex systems, manage diverse teams, and adapt to rapid technological advancements. For women, particularly, the journey can involve overcoming additional barriers and biases. Freight News features editor Liesl Venter spoke to Despina Nicolau, who has held various positions within the J&J Group over the past 12 years, including serving as general manager of the J&J Mozambique f leet, about what it takes to make it in logistics as a woman.LV:What do you think the current representation of women in the freight industry is and has it changed over the years?DN: The road freight sector historically has predominantly been a male-dominated sphere. It is encouraging to see more and more women in the industry. There are still, however, many barriers to entry. The POLIS statistics show that in 2023, globally the percentage of women working in transport was 16.8%, and 10% in Africa. I started as the legal and compliance manager back in 2011 and spent a few years double-hatting as the general manager for J&J Transport in Beira. I have actively seen the entrance of many highly competent women into the industry on both sides of the table. Our policy at J&J Africa has always been the right person for the right job without any discrimination – and this is evident in our DNA today, with over 15.79% of senior management and over 7% of our overall workforce across our group being women.LV:Did you ever see yourself as a “woman in freight”?DN: To be honest, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be working in the freight industry when I was growing up in Malawi. My dream was to be an attorney – and I am an admitted, non-practising attorney of the North Gauteng High Court. I was, however, given an opportunity to become in-house counsel and the legal manager at J&J in Mozambique – and I took it with open arms. My time as the GM was fruitful, and I was one of the few women at the time in leadership. I have found my passion. Every day is exciting in logistics.LV:What are some of the barriers or challenges faced by women who work in the freight industry in Africa?DN: The main barriers in our region start at grassroots level. Most of the countries in question firstly have socioeconomic cultural barriers to overcome. Women in Africa are still seen and expected to be the critical cornerstone of society, raising future generations. As such, women are not actively motivated by their communities to carve out a career for themselves. In some countries in Africa, female literacy still lags behind. Across the continent, we are still battling challenges where girls miss school due to the lack of sanitary towels. Overall, there just are not as many opportunities for women, particularly in poorer regions – and that immediately puts them at a disadvantage.In this context it is difficult for a woman to have a career, never mind one in the freight industry where the work is demanding – trucks don’t stop after all. The freight industry, and particularly road freight, may not sound enticing as it can be hard, gruelling work in some of the most difficult conditions in Africa. It isn’t the easiest sector to enter, and on top of that you have to be able to stand your ground in a male-dominated sphere.LV:How are companies in the freight industry addressing gender diversity and promoting opportunities for women?DN: From a J&J Africa point of view, we actively encourage gender diversity and have women in a range of jobs in which one would historically not find a female. As such, we provide the necessary support – whether through on-the-job training, mentorship and/or external training. We believe if you have the grit, aptitude and attitude, anything can be learned. We are definitely seeing progress in the industry, and women are breaking the barriers – from cross-border long-distance truck drivers, through to executives.
