Gender Inequality In African Aviation – Real or Not?

For a long time now, there have been widespread concerns regarding gender equality in the aviation industry.

Almost 80% of flight attendants are female, but barely five percent of pilots are women and the proportion of women in technical or leadership positions in aviation is even lower. Recognizing that gender equality in air transport requires action, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) convened the first Global Aviation Gender Summit to advance gender equality and women empowerment in the global aviation sector. Summit participants adopted a communique outlining key measures to support gender equality in aviation.

Building on ICAO’s Gender Equality Programme, established in 2017, the Summit aimed to motivate states and the global aviation industry to demonstrate leadership and commitment to gender equality in aviation, mobilize the global aviation community to address barriers, and identify concrete actions to accelerate gender equality. Participants discussed among other issues: the need for better data for gender equality; linkages between the 2030 Agenda and gender equality and aviation; barriers and opportunities for gender equality; gender equality in leadership positions; gender equality and innovation; and partnerships for gender equality.