Every year on 8 March, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), a global event dedicated to recognising women's achievements, resilience, and contributions across all industries. It is a day to reflect on progress made, call for gender equality, and honour the remarkable role of women in shaping our world—particularly in fields like customs, export controls, and trade compliance. Customs Manager Ltd is proud to join the celebrations.
This virtual event brought together leading female professionals who shared their personal journeys, valuable insights, and inspiring stories from their careers.
Key Takeaways from the Event:
Breaking Barriers: The speakers shared how they navigated and overcame challenges to reach the top in male-dominated industries.
Inspiring Leadership: Attendees learned about the leadership styles and strategies that have enabled these women to excel in complex and fast-changing fields.
Impactful Contributions: The speakers emphasized the far-reaching influence women have had in shaping customs regulations, global trade policies, and ensuring compliance in export controls and sanctions.
Practical Skills for Success: Insight into the essential skills needed to thrive in these sectors, including compliance knowledge, leadership abilities, and the capacity to adapt to regulatory changes.
Featured Speakers:
Bonnie Kersch: A global trade compliance expert and founder of Magnolia Global Trade Solutions, Bonnie discussed why IWD matters in customs & global trade, highlighting the growing role of women in transforming the sector.
Lila Landis: With over 15 years of experience, Lila shared her thoughts on What women need RIGHT NOW in customs & global trade, addressing the challenges and opportunities women face in today's trade compliance environment.
You can also watch the recording now on our YouTube Channel to hear these impactful presentations and gain insights from some of the most influential women in global trade.
International Women's Day: Powered by Collective Action
As Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist, and activist, once said, “The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” This powerful sentiment resonates deeply within international trade, where collective action and shared ownership are key drivers of change. Achieving gender parity in customs, trade, and compliance requires individuals, organisations, and governments' combined efforts.
These collective efforts magnify the impact of International Women's Day. It’s not just a celebration—it’s a call to action to accelerate women's equality in all sectors, including international trade.
🎥 Watch our 2024 International Customs Day Celebrations for more industry insights
International Women's Day 2024 Celebration: Encouraging Inclusion in Customs & Global Trade
Watch on demand as we celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in international commerce, customs, and global trade. On March 8, 2024, Customs Manager Ltd hosted a live event to honour women’s vital role in these industries, featuring insightful speeches and discussions from key thought leaders.
Speakers & Highlights:
Elizabeth Mainelli, Lady Mayoress of the City of London, opened the event with a powerful address, stressing the importance of recognising women's impact in customs and global commerce.
Deputy Director Perolat from DG TAXUD, European Commission, shared her inspiring career journey from France to Brussels, illustrating her rise in European public administration.
Carol Lynch, leader of the BDO Customs Practice in Dublin, provided valuable insights on the recognition of women in major business advisory firms.
In the Q&A session, Enrika Naujokė, a customs industry entrepreneur, joined Ms. Lynch and Ms. Perolat to discuss how women's achievements inspire future generations to excel.
This event highlighted the accomplishments of women in customs and global trade, reinforcing the importance of inclusion and inspiring the next wave of leaders.
🎥 Tune in to our 2023 International Customs Day Celebrations for additional industry insights.
We talk to Mrs. Nickie Dalton, Head of Trade Documentation and Services at the London Chamber of Commerce, discusses the role of women in leadership positions within the industry. Nickie Dalton reflects on her experiences in the customs and global trade sector, answering key questions such as:
What got you interested in customs and global trade?
What has it been like working in this field as a woman?
Is customs and global trade a job for men?
Should women pursue a career in customs?
How can we support female entrepreneurs in global trade?
We speak to Ms. Rachel Stockton, CEO of CIE Services Ltd, shares her journey from working in multinational companies to running her own customs consultancy as a woman.
In these interviews, we explore gender equality in global trade, the experiences of women in the field, and how to support female professionals through training and policy.
Why We Celebrate Women in Customs
Recognising Achievements: Women in customs have not only pioneered significant policy changes but have also played a crucial role in enhancing trade compliance processes across various jurisdictions. Their contributions extend to global security, where they have been instrumental in developing frameworks that ensure safe and efficient trade practices. By actively participating in international negotiations and policymaking, these women have helped shape regulations that facilitate smoother cross-border transactions, promoting economic growth and stability. Their efforts are vital in addressing challenges such as smuggling, fraud, and other illicit activities that threaten the integrity of global trade.
Encouraging More Women to Join the Field: By showcasing inspiring female success stories from diverse backgrounds, we not only celebrate their achievements but also create relatable role models for young women aspiring to enter the fields of international trade, customs, and compliance. These narratives highlight the various pathways to success and the impact that women can have in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Educational initiatives, workshops, and outreach programs can further amplify these stories, encouraging girls and young women to explore career opportunities in customs and trade, thus ensuring a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the future.
Advocating for Gender Equality: While commendable progress has been made in recent years regarding women's representation in customs and trade, it is imperative to recognise that substantial work remains. Many women still face barriers that hinder their advancement to leadership roles, including systemic biases and a lack of supportive policies. Advocacy for gender equality in this sector must focus on implementing mentorship programs, promoting flexible work arrangements, and ensuring that women are not only included in discussions but also have a voice in decision-making processes. Achieving true equality requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to dismantle these barriers and create an environment where women can thrive equally alongside their male counterparts.
Building a Supportive Community: Establishing a strong network of female professionals in customs and trade is essential for fostering an environment that encourages mentorship, professional growth, and knowledge-sharing. Such a community can provide a platform for women to connect, share experiences, and offer guidance to one another. Through networking events, online forums, and collaborative projects, women can build valuable relationships that enhance their careers and contribute to personal development. This supportive community not only empowers individual women but also strengthens the overall industry by promoting diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to common challenges.
Collective Action for Change
International Women’s Day is a reminder that achieving gender parity in international trade and beyond requires collective action. Every one of us has a role to play in advancing equality—whether it's advocating for policy reforms, supporting women-led businesses, or mentoring the next generation of women leaders in customs and trade.
Become Part of the Global Customs and Trade Community
International Women’s Day (March 8) serves as a pivotal occasion to recognoize and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political contributions of women worldwide. In the context of customs and global trade, this day also emphasises the urgent need to advance women's equality within these sectors. The global trade community must unite in transforming International Women’s Day from a mere celebration into a catalyst for sustainable change. As we strengthen this movement, we can pave the way for a future where every woman engaged in trade compliance and customs has the opportunity to excel and lead.
More Resources and Learning Opportunities by Customs Manager Ltd
📚 Explore our training programmes at www.customsmanager.org/events.
🔎 Stay informed with our blog at www.customsmanager.info.
Final Thoughts
International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration—it is a call to action for equality, diversity, and inclusion. Women in customs, export controls, and sanctions have already achieved so much, but there is still more to do. By recognising their contributions and supporting their advancement, we can create a future where every woman in trade compliance has the opportunity to thrive. We, at Customs Manager Ltd, are proud to be part of this discussion.
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