E-Moviliza | Urbano Envíos
Moving forward together: women, sustainable logistics, and greener cities
Led by the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative (UEMI), the E-Moviliza project is designed to promote low-emission deliveries, reduce carbon footprints, and build greener cities. Through E-Warmi, a parallel action within the project, the focus also expands to creating more opportunities for women in sustainable transport, ensuring gender equity is part of the mobility transition.
It’s through partnerships that bring together sustainability and gender equality that we met Carmem Gómez, Courier Operations Management Advisor; Mónica Duarte, Head of Operations for Quito and Guayaquil; and Norma Chicaiza, Courier Driver — all part of the team at Urbano Envíos.
Grupo Urbano is one of Ecuador’s largest last-mile logistics networks, connecting businesses and people across the country through reliable, fast delivery services. Among its key players is Urbano Envíos, a company known not just for its efficiency, but also for its commitment to sustainability and social inclusion.
Women shaping sustainable logistics
The company’s commitment became even stronger when Urbano Envíos joined E-Moviliza. For Carmem Gómez, these goals deeply resonate with her own journey. When she first stepped into her role, the challenges were clear: she would need to gain the trust of a large team of delivery riders—a group traditionally known for their resilience and tough work culture.
“At the beginning, I was honestly a bit afraid,” she recalls. “It’s a strong group of riders, known for their toughness. But over time, we’ve earned each other’s respect.”
Rather than leading with hierarchy, Monica Duarte chose empathy. She worked side by side with the couriers, listened to their daily challenges, and made sure they felt part of something bigger.
“We don’t see ourselves as bosses—we’re colleagues; we’re leaders who care about them as people,” she explains. “We try to be empathetic, understanding their day-to-day work and the issues they face on their routes. That has helped us maintain a good balance, both in productivity and in the effectiveness of our daily processes, distribution, routing, and the situations our couriers encounter with partners on the street.”
I always tell them the truth—it’s hard at first. But we support each other, we help each other, especially among women”
Norma Chicaiza, Courier Driver, Urbano Envíos
Moving towards greener deliveries
Regarding Urbano’s growing investments in sustainable logistics, Carmem Gómez explains that as part of the E-Moviliza pilot, the company is working to integrate electric vehicles and e-bikes into its operations.
“We already have a group of delivery riders working with e-bikes because we know—and we’re very aware—that we need to give the planet a chance in that regard.”
For Carmem, the urgency of this transition is personal: “Electromobility is an urgent issue that needs to be pushed forward quickly because it’s a solution to our climate challenges.”
Opening doors for women
Yet, for all of them, change isn’t just about technology. It’s about breaking social barriers. “Sometimes women come to me and ask, ‘Does your company hire women?’ And I always say yes, I give them the address and encourage them to apply,” Norma shares. “I always tell them the truth—it’s hard at first. But we support each other, we help each other, especially among women.”
The stories of Carmem, Monica, and Norma show how women are actively shaping the future of logistics; not by replicating old models, but by bringing new ways of working, supporting each other, and driving change with empathy and purpose.
Together, they are proving that moving towards sustainability is also about creating space, building connections, and moving forward together.