Women make up just 7% of NSE-listed logistics firms' workforce despite proven efficiency gains

Despite proving to be more efficient and cost-effective, women continue to be severely underrepresented in India’s logistics sector, accounting for only 7 per cent of the workforce in NSE-listed logistics companies, a new report has revealed.
The report, SheMoves Logistics – Driving Diversity & Inclusion in Logistics, jointly published by the CII Centre for Women Leadership and The Udaiti Foundation, highlighted that economic benefits and continuous structural barriers are limiting women’s participation in the sector.
Women employees have contributed to cost savings of up to 12 per cent for companies, thanks to better attendance, higher work efficiency and improved quality in order processing. Yet, their presence remains limited, improving by only a single percentage point in the last four years.
“Women constitute 7 per cent of the workforce in the NSE listed firms in the sector, showing a 1 percentage point increase over the last four years. Top performers include AllCargo Logistics (19 per cent), TCI Express and All Cargo Gati (13 per cent each), Container Corporation of India (12 per cent), and Mahindra Logistics (11 per cent ),” the report said.
Structural and cultural barriers continue to pose major hurdles, including gender biases in hiring and promotions, exclusion from informal workplace networks, and the lack of gender-sensitive infrastructure such as separate washrooms and secure facilities.
Safety also remained a major concern, with the report noting a 37 per cent rise in complaints related to the prevention of sexual harassment (POSH) between 2022–23 and 2023–24. Only 22 per cent of the surveyed companies offer daycare support — a key factor that can help women return to work after maternity leave.
According to Seema Arora, deputy director general of the Confederation of Indian Industry, “The logistics sector, valued at $ 215 billion and contributing 13-14 per cent to India's GDP, is set for rapid annual growth of around 10.5 per cent, and major transformations driven by greater investments and policy shifts.”
The report also found that 44 per cent of the firms surveyed had at least one woman in key management roles, with most having at least one woman board member, suggesting progress in leadership diversity.