FOCUS joins new transport-specific Women Wellbeing Working Group

The European Wellbeing Initiative (Ewellin), powered by the European Secure Parking Organisation (ESPORG), successfully launched the Women Wellbeing Working Group in July. Charleen Clarke, editorial director of FOCUS, is honoured to have been invited to join.

Led by Ewellin head Druselia Betea, this new platform brings together pioneering organisations to address barriers for women in professional road transport and build a more attractive, safe and inclusive sector.

 The inaugural meeting highlighted a clear vision: by combining forces across the entire supply chain, the industry can solve the growing driver shortage while advancing gender equality and wellbeing.

IRU opens with the global and European picture

Clara Sánchez López, policy adviser for the International Road Transport Union (IRU), emphasised that women represent only around 4% of truck drivers in Europe, despite their excellent safety records. She outlined persistent barriers – stereotypes, unfriendly cultures, lack of role models and inadequate facilities – and presented the IRU Charter for Women in Road Transport along with practical toolkits.

“Making road transport more attractive to women requires the whole sector to work together and focus on practical change,” she said. “This Working Group creates a valuable space to connect expertise across the transport and logistics chain, identify what works in practice and turn those lessons into measures that can make a real difference for women drivers.”

Transatlantic research insights; ESPORG drives collective action   

Rebecca Brewster, president of The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), and Andrew Fain, ATRI research associate, shared US findings showing parallel challenges: insufficient safe parking, limited exercise opportunities and access issues. Women comprise just 4.7% of over-the-road drivers but are statistically safer. ATRI recommends supportive training and family-aware policies.

“It was great to be a part of the inaugural meeting of the Women Wellbeing Working Group,” said Brewster. “It was gratifying to see the collective commitment to making the transportation work environment more inclusive and safer for women, and we were excited to share ATRI’s research on these critical topics with the group.”

ESPORG’s Mirjam Frakulla, meanwhile, detailed the parking study results, noting that women drivers report major concerns with safety, cleanliness (over 60%) and threats (about 70%). The group agreed that infrastructure, training, mentoring and enforcement must advance together.

Amplifying the voices of lady truckers

Caroline Baugniet, professional truck driver, trainer, mentor and founder of the Lady Truckers advocacy and mentoring programme in Belgium, brought a powerful practitioner perspective. Caroline’s real-world experience behind the wheel and her dedication to supporting other women provided invaluable lived insights that connected policy and research to the daily realities female drivers face – emphasising the human elements of safety, community and personal well-being that make the biggest difference.

A vision of lasting impact

“Truck drivers already navigate tough realities every day. Women drivers face even more,” noted Ewellin’s Betea. “We want to truly listen to their experiences. Our goal is clear: make truck driving a more attractive, respectful and supportive profession for women – and ultimately for everyone in the sector.”

This kick-off with leading partners lays a strong foundation. More stakeholders across the supply chain are encouraged to join to shape research, solutions and training for lasting impact.