FFFAI Women’s Wing champions Women’s Role in Customs Trade at Special Session during 25th Biennial Convention in Goa
GOA : The Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations in India (FFFAI) Women’s Wing hosted a powerful and inspiring session spotlighting the transformative role of women in the customs and logistics industry. Moderated by Ms. Chaitaly Mehta, a trailblazer in the sector, the session was a highlight of the FFFAI’s ongoing commitment to empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated field.
In a heartfelt opening, Mehta shared her personal journey, acknowledging the trust placed in her by FFFAI stalwarts Mr. Shankar Shinde, Mr. Dushyant Mulani, and Mr. Sudip Dey. “I didn’t realize the weight of the responsibility when I first agreed,” she admitted. “But today, I can say it’s been one of the best decisions of my life.”
Ms. Mehta emphasized the supportive environment within FFFAI and its Secretariat, recognizing the contributions of team members like Swati. “Women are each other’s strongest allies,” she said, reinforcing the Women’s Wing’s mission to create a safe, inclusive, and operationally empowered space for women across India.
A standout feature of the event was the reflection on “FFFAI Women’s Wing” a national initiative enabling women to gain practical exposure, access to industry networks, and hands-on knowledge. “It’s not tokenism. Women are now regularly present and contributing at high-level customs and policy meetings,” Ms. Mehta declared with pride.
The session welcomed esteemed guests including Ms. Nora Dihel, Senior Economist, World Bank, who highlighted the global significance of the FFFAI collaboration. “Our partnership with FFFAI transformed the trade facilitation project in India,” said Nora. “They played a critical role in identifying barriers for women in trade and implementing actionable reforms.”
Veteran customs broker Mrs. Pereira, one of the first women in the field, echoed the sentiment. “Women have always been here—just not seen. FFFAI gave them visibility, confidence, and opportunity,” she said, recalling how initiatives took women to land borders and port installations, reshaping their understanding of the industry.
Ms. Rudrani Dutta, representing the new generation, shared her leap from fashion management to logistics. “This industry is the backbone of every other sector,” she said. “Walking into a customs house and being the only woman was intimidating—but that’s exactly why I’m here. To change that.”
The floor then opened to women from across the country who shared personal testimonials. Ms.Shikha from Jaipur said, “The Women’s Wing gave me the wings to fly.” Ms. Binny from Chennai added, “This platform gave me confidence, a network, and visibility.”
Closing the session, Ms. Mehta called for continued support and collaboration. “This is not just about gender,” she said. “It’s about creating a thriving, diverse industry where everyone can rise. We’ve grown from a few women to over 100 strong—and we’re just getting started.”
A video of FFFAI Journey was also shown during the Session to the delegates.
