Breakbulk ME forum to promote the role of women in the sector

Breakbulk Middle East (BBME), the region’s largest bulk and project freight event, will host the ‘Women in Breakbulk Breakfast’, as part of its commitment to increasing women’s participation.

The forum will feature female senior executives, who will discuss ways to overcome the challenges they face in the industry. They will also offer ideas and advice to aspiring female professionals on how they can rise through the ranks and change the male-dominated narrative within the maritime, project freight and breakbulk industry.

Held under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), on February 1-2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, BBME will bring together professionals, including women from different sectors, enabling a chain of end-to-end procurement dialogue.

Encourage women’s participation

Facilitating the participation of women in the dialogue on the future of the sector is essential for the development of the segment. Focusing on female leaders as part of the Women in Breakbulk Leadership Forum, BBME’s primary goal is to close the gender gap in the breakbulk and project freight industry. It further aims to attract some of the brightest young female talent from this key segment.

Hessa Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister of Maritime Transport, Business, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, said: “In a fundamentally male-dominated profession, we have seen a number of female leaders access management positions and even start their own businesses. This is due in large part to their individual efforts, but also to the support they have received.

“The United Arab Emirates offers women the same opportunities as men to pursue their dreams and establish their careers in the fields of their choice. In line with our vision, I believe Breakbulk Middle East has maintained an active role in the inclusion of women through the Women in Breakbulk initiative, where aspiring professionals can witness first-hand the success stories of their counterparts.

Nawal Yousef Alhanaee, Director of the Department of Future Energy, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates, said: “Bridging the gender gap is of the highest priority to improve the landscape of business. Introducing young professionals to successful women in the industry will encourage them to be more enthusiastic in their field as they can envision themselves as top leaders one day.

“Breakbulk Middle East has set up a great platform to facilitate discussions on how the industry can encourage young women to choose a career in the sector. This will help develop local talent in the Middle East and create better organizational structures for future generations. »

The women at the head

A 2021 survey by research and advisory firm Gartner shows that women make up 41% of the supply chain workforce in 2021, up from 39% in 2020. According to the survey, each level leadership has seen its representation increase, with the exception of the executive level, which has seen a slight drop. In 2021, women accounted for 15% of leadership positions, up from 17% in 2020.

Leslie Meredith, Marketing Director, Breakbulk Events & Media, said: “Bridging the gender gap is an ongoing challenge. Year after year, at Breakbulk Middle East, we strive to highlight this issue by taking up the challenges.

“Companies are becoming more aware due to the increased emphasis on inclusion and diversity; however, we still need to continue our efforts to raise awareness of the roles that women can fill in the industry, motivating them to be actively involved in the sector and to excel in it. Also this year, as part of the “Women in Breakbulk” initiative, we will bring together female leaders to share their insights into the skills that are important for continued success in the industry.

“The registration door for the sixth edition is now open, and we invite all industry leaders and experts, especially women, to join us by registering through our official platforms,” Meredith concluded. – TradeArabia Press Office