{
  "id": 14031656,
  "title": "Just 6 in 100 Australian truckies are women. Here’s what would get more behind the wheel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/just-6-in-100-australian-truckies-are-women-heres-what-would-get-more",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T18:59:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/just-6-in-100-australian-truckies-are-women-heres-what-would-get-more-behind-the-wheel-294042"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent report highlights the low representation of women in the Australian trucking industry, with only six women for every 100 drivers. Even among heavy vehicle drivers, the figure drops to four in 100. Despite a slight increase over the past decade, there is still a significant gap compared to women's participation in the wider workforce, which is nearly equal at 48.5%. The National Road Transport Association estimates the sector is short 28,000 drivers, a gap expected to reach 78,000 by 2029. Our new Women in Trucking report found that women are not choosing not to enter the industry; rather, they are being kept out by a culture that claims to welcome them but lacks the necessary support to retain them. Women drivers face challenges such as sexual harassment, a lack of gender-neutral infrastructure in rest stops, and impractical work hours that conflict with personal responsibilities. While many women in the industry exhibit strengths like meticulous vehicle maintenance, safe driving, and improved workplace culture, structural changes are necessary to address these issues and ensure women can thrive in the industry.",
  "summary": "A new report finds the trucking industry urgently needs tens of thousands more drivers – yet it hasn’t built the conditions for women to safely stay.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}