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.
Join us on International Women’s Day 2025 for an inspiring webinar that celebrates the incredible contributions of women in the fields of Customs, Export Controls, and Sanctions.
What to Expect:
Hear from leading female professionals as they share their journeys, challenges, and successes in these critical industries.
Gain valuable insights into the daily roles, key skills, and the impact women make in their careers.
Learn firsthand from those who have excelled and continue to shape the future of global trade.
This session is ideal for anyone interested in pursuing or advancing in these careers. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, you’ll walk away with valuable knowledge and fresh inspiration from remarkable women.
Speakers:
Suzanne Richer - Managing Director, Global Trade Practice, Supply Network Consulting Group Inc. - TBC
Bonnie Kersch, LCB, CCS, MCS, CES, INCO, Owner of Magnolia Global Trade Solutions
Lila Landis, LCB CUSECO® CCEP-Global Compliance Executive | Leading Trade Compliance, Risk Mitigation & Regulatory Strategy | Driving Business Growth, Operational Excellence & Risk Reduction in Logistics, Defense & Chemicals - TBC
Moderated by Arne Mielken, Managing Director of Customs Manager Ltd.
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.
#WomenInCustoms #IWD #InternationalWomensDay #Customs #ExportControls #Sanctions #TradeCompliance #GenderEquality #WomenInTrade #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction
Comments