April 22, 2018
Master of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Logistics and Management alumni Patrick Efinda - Kaso and Silvia Uneddu have contributed to the new book from Pamela Steele and Katie Agius, Health and Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chains - A Career for Women.
Women in humanitarian logistics and management face multiple challenges regarding the acceptance of their professional input and insights. Social and cultural beliefs can play a real barrier today to move forward in their careers as logisticians.
Traditionally, health and humanitarian supply chains have been seen as a male domain but, as this book shows, this is a field in which women have long played a key role.
When disasters strike – earthquakes, floods, outbreaks of disease, and war – televisions show images of relief workers delivering emergency food and water supplies. Also, aid agencies establishing shelters, and doctors delivering medicines to patients in need. However, how do these supplies get to the people who need them? Health and humanitarian logisticians are the unsung heroines and heroes who take on the formidable task of supplying the resources needed in humanitarian response.
Patrick, which is our alumni at the masters of advanced studies in humanitarian logistics and management, and currently a logistics specialist with UNICEF in Denmark, explains his involvement in this project:
"I wanted to provide my contributions to encourage women to cross the line and venture into the career of Logistics and Supply Chain management." Patrick’s experience goes back to 1997 when he worked for Action Against Hunger in D.R.Congo and Burundi. He went on to hold logistics positions with Oxfam, the World Food Program, and UNICEF, working in Chad, the Central African Republic, Kenya, and Sudan.
The book combines an academic look at the role of gender in health supply chains with personal stories from men and women working in humanitarian and health logistics.
Through the personal stories of female and male health and humanitarian logisticians, this book provides an excellent introduction to a career in health and humanitarian supply chains, with a particular focus on women: How does one get a start as a health or humanitarian logistician? What does a day in the life of a logistician involve? What are the challenges women in particular face? Is the situation of women in the field changing? What advice is out there for women seeking a career as a ‘loggy’? This book answers all of these questions and more.
In addition, it presents in-depth research into gender in health supply chains, with contributions from practicing logisticians.
Health and Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chains - A Career for Women can be found at
www.amazon.com/Health-Humanitarian-Logistics-Supply-Chains/dp/1534651098
Health and Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chains a Career for Women provide readers with a wealth of insights into making a career in this important and fascinating field. 50% of the proceeds from sales of this book will go towards supporting the professional development of female logisticians.
Patrick hopes this book will reach "everyone, particularly female professionals who are working daily to make an impact in their communities, environment, and society."
At a time when women are more needed than ever in the humanitarian field, Pamela Steele Associates promises further support, pledging that 50% of the proceeds from this book will go towards the professional development of women working in logistics.
At the Masters of Advanced Studies in Humanitarian Logistics and Management, we believe that Humanitarian Operations studies have a growing role in the relationship of organizations, companies, and governments with the public, between and within organizations. There are many tools available like the book mentioned above to access, analyze and practice humanitarian operations, logistics and management at an advanced and professional level.
If you are interested in more research about the role of gender in humanitarian operations, take a look at one of our alumni studies on "The Role Of Gender In Humanitarian Logistics And Supply Chain Operations." These studies were part of the graduation at the master of advanced studies in humanitarian logistics and management.
