On 4 November 2024, UPU kicked off the Council of Administration (CA) session at the UPU’s headquarters, in Berne, Switzerland. This year, with funding from its capacity building programme, the UPU granted fellowships to six women leaders in the postal sector to support their participation in the autumn meeting of the Union’s supervisory body. The six fellows represented Nicaragua, Trinidad and Tobago, Yemen, Malawi, Vanuatu, and Kyrgyzstan.
Building on the UPU’s commitment to Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (GEEW), this programme integrates the UPU GEEW policy into its development cooperation programming for countries, allowing senior women leaders in the postal sector to gain exposure at the international level, including engaging with key international platforms such as the UPU Councils, particularly the CA. This exposure equips them with the tools, networks, and knowledge to champion gender mainstreaming initiatives within their own postal administrations. Through this initiative, women leaders also have the chance to collaborate, share best practices, and mentor each other, creating a supportive network that strengthens both their leadership capabilities and the broader postal sector.
During their time in Berne, the fellows participated in CA committee and plenary meetings, which covered a number of topics including feedback on the UPU strategy for 2026-2029 to be approved at the 2025 Congress in Dubai.
Through exchanges with global decision-makers, industry experts, and international peers, they [the UPU GEEW fellowship participants] gained valuable insights into pressing sector challenges and opportunities, from digital transformation to sustainability initiatives. Their active participation was not only meant to enhance their own leadership capabilities but also to contribute fresh perspectives to the ongoing dialogue about creating a more inclusive and dynamic postal sector.
“This initiative is part of our capacity development strategy for this cycle. It has grown from three fellowships in 2023 to six in 2024 and includes all regions,” said UPU Capacity Development Expert Pooran Parampath. He added, “The overall aim was to integrate the GEEW policy into our programming at the UPU secretariat level while providing benefits to our member countries through a realistic leadership training approach centered on high-performing women from the Post.”
Speaking to Union Postale, the fellows shared their diverse insights on postal innovation, women’s empowerment, and sector development. They discussed their expectations from the fellowship programme, offered recommendations for strengthening postal services, and highlighted initiatives for advancing women’s leadership in their respective countries. From ICT modernization to financial literacy, from regulatory reforms to human resource development, each fellow brought unique perspectives shaped by their professional expertise and national contexts.
Speaking on the empowerment of women in leadership, Angel Banda, Postmaster General of Malawi Posts Corporation, stated, “Who can motivate a woman better than another woman?” She believed that women possess unique strengths that, when combined with those of men, can drive synergies that propel businesses forward. Furthermore, she advocated for transformative power of collaboration, emphasizing how the fellowship offers valuable opportunities for both individual and organizational growth. “There is a lot of collaboration... it is a benefit to me as well as to my organization,” she remarked, highlighting the potential to introduce new programmes and innovations at Malawi Posts Corporation. Banda expressed her eagerness to learn and integrate the insights gained into her work, stressing the importance of forming partnerships with technical solution providers to enhance service delivery. Drawing from her background in information technology, Banda also underscored the critical role of technological innovation in driving growth. “ICT is the way to visibility. ICT is the way that allows us to grow,” she asserted, explaining how technological integration is fundamental to improving parcel tracking, ensuring data integrity, and building customer confidence in the postal sector.
Analyzing the case of Kyrgyzstan, Uulzhan Masiianova, Deputy Director at Kyrgyzstan’s International Postal Exchange and Logistics Center, shared insights from her 18 years of experience in the postal sector. She emphasized efforts to enhance operational efficiency at Kyrgyz Post, including the development of a local system for Kyrgyz Post in collaboration with developers. This system was integrated with the UPU’s platform, enabling smoother international operations. Masiianova also highlighted the creation of an account for the State Customs Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, which streamlined customs procedures and improved the efficiency of cross-border postal services.
Adding her perspective, Angella Manuella Ben, Senior Accountant and Compliance Officer at Vanuatu Post Ltd, offered unique insights from a small island nation context. When discussing the challenges facing small postal services, she pointed to two critical needs: financial support and technical expertise. Drawing from her banking experience, Ben spoke about the importance of financial literacy programmes for women. “Women usually have lower financial literacy in terms of understanding and being able to manage their own finance,” she said. Talking about her first experience at UPU headquarters, Ben expressed enthusiasm about gaining deeper insights into international postal regulations and financial management practices.
Turning to human resources perspectives, Suntia Cindy Lemet, Director and Chair of the Human Resources Committee at Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation, outlined her vision for postal sector development. Speaking from her extensive experience in talent management, she advocated for promoting the postal sector as a dynamic career path and establishing international exchange programmes. On the topic of women’s empowerment, Lemet called for targeted leadership development programmes, negotiation skills training, and initiatives supporting work-life balance.
Adding her voice to the discussion, Dalal Taher Al-Kaff, Director General of Postal Affairs in Yemen, shared insights into her country’s initiatives for women’s advancement in the postal sector. Speaking with pride about Yemen Post’s vision, she detailed their commitment to placing women in leadership positions through structured support and development opportunities. For Al-Kaff, the fellowship represented not just a learning opportunity but a chance to inspire other women in Yemen's postal sector.
Addressing regulatory challenges, Verónica Virginia Miranda Vaca, Deputy Director General of Nicaragua’s TELCOR, highlighted the pressing need for modernization in postal frameworks. Speaking candidly about the limitations of Nicaragua’s postal law, she pointed out its inadequacy in addressing the rise of e-commerce, which now accounts for roughly 87% of purchases. On a more positive note, Miranda Vaca spoke enthusiastically about Nicaragua’s progressive gender equity policies, including their groundbreaking “50-50 Law.” Looking to the future, she advocated for expanding UPU’s training programmes regionally, particularly in specialized areas like regulatory accounting.
In the new cycle, the UPU will expand its capacity-building programme with more workshops, forums, and e-learning opportunities aimed at furthering gender equality and empowering women in postal services worldwide. These activities will provide additional platforms for women leaders to deepen their engagement with the UPU and continue advocating for inclusive practices and policies in the postal industry.
This article first appeared in Union Postale Autumn/Winter 2024.