Women in the trucking industry are still an exception that is striving to become the norm.
In a sector where driving tractor-trailers has historically been male-dominated, every woman who gets behind the wheel not only gains employment but also challenges a structure that for decades seemed immutable.
Under that premise, the Women Driving the Way program was presented , an initiative promoted by Scania Mexico in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) , which brought together representatives from the public, private, diplomatic and international cooperation sectors.
The meeting was marked by a common narrative: the transformation of transportation cannot be measured solely in technological or environmental terms, but also in social ones . Two videos opened the day’s proceedings.
In this context, Scania reiterated that its commitment to cleaner and more responsible transport goes hand in hand with a vision of inclusion.
“It was in 2022 that the company first launched the Scania Women Drivers program in Mexico, a pioneering initiative to train women to drive heavy-duty vehicles. Since then, more than 70 women have taken the wheel of their own destiny , transforming not only their professional careers but also their social environment,” said Alejandro Mondragón, president and CEO of the company.
The results have been conclusive: 80% of the graduates are currently working in transport companies , while 60% managed to find employment in less than a month after completing their training, explained Rodolfo Hernández, manager of Institutional Relations and Sustainability at Scania Mexico.
Many of them, formerly housewives, entrepreneurs, or business owners, decided to go beyond the traditional role of family breadwinner to become agents of change within the sector. One of these stories was recognized in 2023 at the National Road Safety Award, organized by the National Association of Private Transportation (ANTP) , as an outstanding driver.
Beyond individual cases, the message was that professionalizing transportation also means opening it up , challenging stereotypes, and creating real conditions for more women to participate in an industry that is strategic for the economy.
A gap that is beginning to shift
The program is being launched at a time when female participation in federal motor transport shows signs of progress, although the gender gap remains deep.
According to data from the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) and reports from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) , as of April 2025, 7,099 federal driver’s licenses were issued to women, representing a 22% increase compared to the 5,815 recorded in the same month of 2024. Of the total, 81% correspond to cargo operators , both general and specialized.
However, these figures still contrast sharply with the overall picture of the sector: as of April 2025, the number of valid federal licenses for freight, passenger, and tourism transportation exceeded 802,000 , keeping female participation below 1%, according to previous reports. The trend is positive, but the structural challenge remains.
According to the Swedish ambassador to Mexico, Gunnar Aldén, women represent only 2.5% of truck drivers , a figure that highlights the gender gap that persists in the trucking sector and reinforces the need to promote initiatives aimed at changing social norms and expanding female participation in this strategic industry.
In this context, Alejandro Mondragón, president and CEO of Scania Mexico , emphasized that the program’s scope extends beyond the short term. He noted that the goal over the next three years is to train more than 170 female drivers, 45 female technicians or mechanics, and more than 70 female engineers , expanding the project’s impact into technical and specialized areas that are key to the professionalization of the sector.
Cooperation to change norms, not just numbers
From the perspective of international cooperation, GIZ explained that its work focuses on improving people’s living conditions and creating future opportunities, currently operating in more than 90 countries and working closely with governments, the private sector, academia, and civil society. Within this framework, the alliance with Scania represents a point of convergence between sustainable development, labor inclusion, and mobility .
German cooperation highlighted that, although women represent more than half the population, they remain disproportionately concentrated in the informal sector and in unpaid care work, with lower incomes and less access to social security. At the same time, many companies face a shortage of skilled labor, especially in technical fields. Women Leading the Way seeks to address both realities, creating opportunities for women and strengthening the sector’s competitiveness.
Sweden, values and cultural change
The cultural dimension of the program was reinforced by the participation of the Swedish ambassador to Mexico, Gunnar Aldén , who celebrated the collaboration between Scania, GIZ and the German government as a demonstration of the shared values within the European Union, particularly in sustainability, gender equality and labor rights.
Drawing on his experience, the ambassador noted that gender equality in the labor market cannot be achieved solely through legislation , although such legislation is essential. In the Swedish case, he explained, measures such as separate taxation, parental leave, and childcare systems laid fundamental groundwork, but profound change occurred when social norms began to transform.
In that sense, the program presented represents an effort to change the unwritten rules within a sector that is key to the economies of Sweden, Germany, and Mexico.
Scania and the promise to do things right
During his remarks, Alejandro Mondragón framed the initiative within the company’s philosophy, emphasizing that Scania views transportation not only as a business, but as an engine of change . He noted that the company operates in more than 100 countries, with over 50,000 employees worldwide, and that it has been present in Mexico since 1994 with a fully owned network of 17 branches and more than 1,000 employees.
Women Leading the Way was not presented as an end point, but as the beginning of a broader stage. It is an effort that recognizes that the transformation of transportation involves not only reducing emissions but also expanding opportunities , redistributing responsibilities, and breaking down stereotypes.
In an industry that drives the country’s economy, every woman who takes the wheel today also moves something deeper: the idea of who can, and should, drive the future of road transport in Mexico .
Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero / @GrupoT21
