Overcoming Obstacles: Female Participation in Fleet and Procurement Sector Across Asia-Pacific Region
In the dynamic world of fleet management and procurement, women are increasingly making their mark as key drivers of innovation and resilience. The Inspiring Women in Fleet network offers a monthly dedicated newsletter for those interested in staying updated on this evolving landscape.
International Women's Day serves as a timely reminder that the fight for gender equality is ongoing, and the journeys of trailblazers like Alba Chi and Ika Mohd Zawawi demonstrate both progress and persistent challenges for women in male-dominated industries.
Women often find themselves at a disadvantage due to limited access to financial resources and networking opportunities, making it harder to climb the corporate ladder or start their own businesses. However, in the face of these challenges, women in fleet management and procurement are demonstrating remarkable resilience and strategic agility.
Events such as Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Chicago 2025 showcase influential female leaders from major companies like Coca-Cola, AstraZeneca, and PepsiCo, highlighting their roles in transforming supply chains, driving sustainability, and fostering inclusive growth. Similarly, industry initiatives like the "Empowering Women in Fleet," launched in June 2025, reflect efforts to increase female participation and leadership within fleet management. Companies in fleet operations are also reporting progress in promoting women, with an increase in female seafarer representation by 20% and the promotion of women to senior roles like Master in maritime fleet management.
Despite these advancements, women still face persistent challenges, including underrepresentation in senior leadership roles and the need to overcome gender biases within the industry. The fleet management sector also grapples with operational pressures such as cost control and sustainability transitions, requiring all professionals to navigate complex economic and technological landscapes.
Women aspiring to leadership positions must thus develop resilience and strategic agility in an environment that is still male-dominated and rapidly evolving. Key advice from women leaders centers on embracing innovation, resilience, and continuous learning. Cultivating skills in digital transformation, sustainability, supplier diversity, and risk management is crucial for future-ready professionals. Networking through industry events and initiatives that support women can provide mentorship and visibility, fostering growth opportunities.
Moreover, balancing operational priorities such as cost efficiency and sustainability is vital as industries like fleet management transition towards greener technologies. Emphasizing ethical practices and stakeholder engagement helps build trust and credibility in procurement and fleet roles.
Women in Asia contribute significantly to economic growth but continue to face unique challenges such as low workforce participation, barriers to advancement, and work-life balance issues. Ika's advice for aspiring female professionals includes staying confident, believing in abilities, seeking mentors and allies, taking on challenges, and the importance of adaptability and networking.
Subscribing to the Fleet APAC Insights monthly newsletter provides access to the latest trends and developments in this sector. By staying informed and connected, aspiring professionals can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead in these traditionally male-dominated fields.
- In the realms of science and health-and-wellness, the journey of trailblazers like Alba Chi and Ika Mohd Zawawi serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for gender equality, demonstrating both progress and persistent challenges for women in male-dominated industries.
- To transcend the challenges of limited access to financial resources and networking opportunities, women can cultivate skills in digital transformation, sustainability, supplier diversity, and risk management as part of their education-and-self-development and personal-growth efforts.
- Businesses that prioritize diversity-and-inclusion and leadership development in fleet management can capitalize on the innovative strategies and resilience that women bring to finance, leadership, and careers within this industry.
- Industry initiatives, such as Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Chicago 2025 and the "Empowering Women in Fleet" (launched in June 2025), are essential for fostering growth opportunities, promoting women, and increasing female participation and leadership in traditionally male-dominated fields.
- As businesses in the fleet management sector navigate operational pressures like cost control and sustainability transitions, focusing on ethical practices and stakeholder engagement is key to building trust, credibility, and fostering diversity-and-inclusion within the industry.
