WiLAT Sri Lanka Walk: Striking a balance in logistics and transport

WiLAT (Women in Logistics and Transport) is the women’s body of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and was formed with the objective to promote and encourage the art and science of logistics and transport. Since its formation in March 2013, WiLAT plays a dynamic role in promoting gender diversity in the industry through value adding activities. 

The WiLAT executive committee organised a Walk on Saturday, 5 September under the theme ‘Striking a Balance in Logistics and Transport’ with the primary objective of Creating ‘Awareness and Promoting Gender Diversity’ in the field of Logistics and Transport. The 5 km walk began at the Independence square with a very colourful inauguration where WiLAT Sri Lanka Chairperson Gayani de Alwis together with the ExCo unveiled the pledge board whilst releasing hundreds of purple and white balloons to the air. Gayani welcomed all the participants and shared a few key points on the vision, mission and goals of WiLAT and the prevailing opportunities in this industry. 

The Walk was then followed by a brief introduction on the much awaited Float Competition where the CINEC Maritime Campus, Moratuwa University  and Kothalawela Defence University students actively participated by making props and models to convey a message on their respective area of study and the logistics and transport sector as a whole. 

CINEC Maritime Campus was crowned champions at the float competition and was awarded with gift vouchers from Cargills by the respected judging panel.

WiLAT ExCo also gave out prizes for the best decorated vehicle which was won by EFL. There was a very interesting treasure hunt and many other games and surprises to keep the participants going. To add to all the excitement and glamour the participants were entertained with traditional Papere music throughout the walk. 

Judging by the active participation of over 500 participants from multiple universities, corporates, government institutions and also WIM and WISTA which also promote and empower women, it is with no doubt that the walk was a resounding success. The participants were treated with refreshments and goodie bags.  

In conclusion of the Walk, Gayani de Alwis stressed the importance of the theme of the walk and also in collaborating with other women’s bodies to carry out joint events to spring synergies and accomplish the common objective to promote and increase gender diversity in the related fields. She concluded by saying no country can boast of economic progress by leaving half of the population behind, so she stressed the importance of engaging  more women for economic growth , not only by women who contributes to the economy through foreign remittances, tea, rubber and garment industries but also at the higher end of the career hierarchy.

She then invited all participants to pledge their support by signing the backdrop to support this very important cause of striking a balance in the logistics and transport sector. The walk was concluded by WiLAT Chairperson thanking all supporters, participants, generous sponsors and the ExCo for making the inaugural WiLAT walk a tremendous success and all participants were invited to pledge their support by signing on the backdrop.

The main objective of WiLAT is to promote and encourage women in logistics and transport sector. WiLAT is part of an ever expanding global network within CILT. The global launch of WiLAT was held on 3 June 2013 in Sri Lanka during the CILT international convention. Currently, WiLAT is present in 18 countries with over 1,800 members in the global network which is expanding rapidly. WiLAT Sri Lanka is one of the five pioneering the global network and was established on 21 March 2013. 

The objective of the WiLAT walk was predominantly to promote and create awareness to strike a balance in the logistics and transport industry.  The underlying mission of WiLAT is to provide a forum for women engaged in the industry to network and provide opportunities for career advancement and to empower women to become leading professionals in the industry. WiLAT also emphasises to create awareness on career opportunities in the industry, provide access to information sources on continuous professional development, provide networking opportunities to share best practices, provide training and mentoring opportunities to make a positive contribution, continuously develop and nurture a talent pipeline for the industry and to drive change in industry through diversity.