The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA), International Federation of Air Traffic Safety Electronics Associations (IFATSEA), International Federation of Aeronautical Information Management Associations (IFAIMA), and International Federation of Flight Information Association (IFISA) have come together on International Women’s Day 2024 to speak in a united voice to the international aviation community and promote this year’s theme to Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.
Women are still seriously underrepresented in nearly all sectors of aviation. Despite the combined effort to take steps to rectify this, progress has been slow, especially in comparison to other industries. We, the combined voices of the professional staff bodies, cannot force change, but we can commit to encouraging representation of women in the aviation industry at all levels, from entry to leadership roles.
We feel a movement towards greater gender parity in our sector is a win-win solution to both this underrepresentation and the significant and widespread staffing shortages worldwide. Investing in women in aviation will accelerate progress for the aviation industry.
Diversity is an everyone issue, and as such, we encourage all men in the aviation community to continue to act as allies, mentors, and supporters of women looking to join and move up in the ranks. This means acknowledging the inequalities, underrepresentation, and barriers towards entry and retention for women, and doing our part to accelerate progress from the inside out. Progress is not a competition, and a more diverse workforce is proven to be safer, healthier, and more productive for everyone.
As a global community, we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to gender inequality in aviation. Progress will be dependent on our willingness to acknowledge regional specificities, respect cultural differences, and work together as a unified front, despite historic challenges.
We are ready to work together and to invest in our sector, by investing in women in aviation, we accelerate progress.
#InvestInWomen
www.ifalpa.org, www.ifatca.org, www.ifatsea.org, www.ifaima.org, www.ifisa.info