Get ready for a new mindset on women in customs leadership

Around the world, progressive customs administrations recognise the importance of strengthening their gender balance. In the past decade, the deliberate efforts of contemporary leaders have resulted in positive organisational changes focused on equitable opportunities to prepare women and men for customs leadership. We know that customs administrations are capable of large-scale and rapid transformation – the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated just how adaptive and responsive they can be. We contend that customs administrations are well-placed to drive timely, organisation-wide change that will make gender diversity a reality. This paper highlights the need for diversity in administrations and introduces the Container Control Programme – Women’s Professional Development Programme (CCP – WPDP) that is designed to significantly advance diversity in agencies to strengthen their organisational effectiveness.