In addition to being a human right, enshrined in the UN Charter, gender equality is also an urgent imperative and unique opportunity for the aviation sector. Globally, women in technical and leadership positions in the aviation sector are vastly under-represented. This is a matter of concern, not only from a fairness and justice perspective. As women and girls represent half of the world's population, therefore they also are half of its potential. The aviation sector globally has a long journey ahead when it comes to closing the gender gap. How can the sector better attract, recruit, and retain women? What are the bottlenecks to be resolved - some of which go as far back as childhood? This SkyTalk proposes to provide a snapshot of what ICAO does to support the sector to advance gender equality.

By Thilly De Bodt, ICAO