Today, Friday 08 March 2024, is observed around the world as International Women’s Day.
According to Aurora Ventures, a not-for-profit that provides services to the International Women’s Day movement, today is a global day “celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality”.
To mark the occasion, the Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia, held its international Women’s Day Annual Industry Breakfast, which featured a panel discussion between guest speakers Kylie Fraser, Area MD of Maersk Oceania; Nicolaj Noes, Executive VP of DP World Oceania; and Marianne Perkovic, chair Australian Fashion and a non-executive director. Also speaking was Lyndey Milan OAM, a speaker on behalf of the Leukaemia Foundation. An auction of various products and services, such as hotel stays, designer furniture, and electronic goods, was held to raise funds to help in the fight against leukaemia, which is a cancer of the body’s blood-creating tissues.
Issues discussed by the panel included inclusivity and diversity, job security, pay equality for women, parental leave and the payment of superannuation contributions on that parental leave.
Shipping Australia’s CEO, Capt Melwyn Noronha, and our Shipping Analyst, Mehrangiz Shahbakhsh, were honoured to attend the event. Shipping Australia noted that the event was well organised and attended. Capt. Noronha commented: “Shipping Australia is pleased to attend and support events focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It was good to hear from SCLAA representatives that the maritime sector in Australia has progressed gender and minority participation both in the industry generally, and also in promoting more people from diverse backgrounds into senior and board roles, over the last 15 years”.
