ICAO Landmark Study on Women in Global Aviation

About the research: ICAO is leading a landmark global study to better understand and advance gender equality in the aviation sector. This initiative supports the activities of ICAO’s Gender Equality Programme, in line with Assembly Resolution A41-26, and the Strategic Plan 2026-2050, while also supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG5 which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls across the globe.

Why the research matters: Women remain significantly underrepresented in many roles and their experiences often differ widely across aviation globally. Research shows that women face systemic barriers relating to workplace cultures and stereotypes, including conscious and unconscious biases, limited access to leadership roles, discriminatory recruitment and promotion practices, workplace safety challenges, and a lack of mentorship support. Yet, women’s participation in aviation is linked to improved safety, performance, and profitability. A more diverse workforce can solve complex problems, enhance innovation, and better meet industry demands. As such, the study of women’s experiences is important not only for individual career opportunities but also the growth, innovation, and future of the aviation sector. 

This study aims to benchmark representation, map existing policies, explore lived experiences, and develop evidence-based recommendations to foster a more diverse aviation industry.

How you can participate: We are inviting women working in the global aviation eco-system, covering a multitude of job categories—across all roles, ranks, and regions—to contribute to this important research by participating in any of the following:

• A short survey (approx. 15 minutes)
• An in-depth interview (approx. 1 hour)
• Focus group discussions (approx. 2 hours)

Your insights will help shape the future of aviation.

The survey link and registration for interviews and focus groups will be available soon. 

More details: 

Participation in this study is completely voluntary, and your input will remain anonymous. 

Questions? Please contact estephenson [at] icao.int (estephenson[at]icao[dot]int)