The transport sector is about to embark on a transformative journey towards diversity and equity with the official launch of the Women in Transport Equity Index survey. This ground-breaking initiative, introduced at the Women in Transport Annual General Meeting on 26 June 2023, aims to revolutionise the industry by providing crucial baseline data, recognising best practices and driving positive change.
The Women in Transport Equity Index survey will be live and open for registration from 3 July 2023. This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity within the transport sector. The Index seeks to identify and address the real gender diversity in transport-related positions, fostering an environment where all individuals have equal access to opportunities and resources.
“We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the Women in Transport Equity Index survey,” said Sonya Byers (pictured, left), CEO of Women in Transport. She added, “This initiative represents a paradigm shift in the industry, providing a comprehensive framework to measure and drive progress towards greater diversity and equity. We invite all UK transport sector companies to register and participate in this transformative journey.”
Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Transport, Ruth Cadbury MP, highlighted, “This is a significant point in the quest for a more diverse and equitable transport workforce. The APPG for Women in Transport is proud to support Women in Transport’s Equity Index Initiative. By fostering inclusivity and highlighting best practices, we hope to inspire other sectors to follow our lead, creating a ripple effect of positive change across industries.”
The Women in Transport Equity Index survey consists of 10 mandatory and 10 optional questions, carefully designed to ensure efficiency while capturing essential data. Optional questions include intersectional aspects, further enhancing the understanding of workforce dynamics within the sector. Participants who complete the index questions will gain free access to a light version of the information hub, which offers invaluable resources and templates for fostering diversity and inclusion within their organisations.
Upon completing the full survey, participants will receive an overall score across the ten equity standards, individual scores and a comprehensive 25-page report featuring benchmarking data. Top-performing companies will be featured in the comprehensive report (with their permission), with the top five companies in each sector index (at their discretion) receiving a prestigious certificate of success recognition and a marketing badge dated to signify their commitment to diversity and equity.
“The Merchant Navy Welfare Board is proud to sponsor the Women in Transport Equity Index,” stated Stuart Rivers, Chief Executive of MNWB, which is the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets. We believe in fostering a maritime industry that reflects the true diversity of our society, and this initiative aligns perfectly with our strategic aims. Together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable future for the maritime sector,”
“We firmly believe that diversity and equity are not just initiatives; they are the driving forces behind a prosperous and inclusive industry,” emphasised Sue Terpilowski (pictured, right), Women in Transport lead for the Index. “The Women in Transport Equity Index survey represents ground-breaking work in diversity, equity and inclusion. We invite all companies to join us in this momentous endeavour and together, we can set a worldwide precedent for equality in the transport sector.”
Link to register for the Equity Index 2023 https://bit.ly/3XspsQY