By
Laura Hyde |
International Maritime Organization (IMO) will highlight both the crucial role of women in ensuring maritime safety and the changing attitudes towards gender in the industry on International Day for Women in Maritime, which is observed on 18 May every year.
Currently, only 29 per cent of the overall maritime workforce identifies as female, with women making up just two per cent of seafarers worldwide, according to a 2021 IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime survey.
Speaking at a symposium on 17 May 2024 titled ‘Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety’ to mark International Day for Women in Maritime, IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez said: “We must – and will – do more. By investing in women's education and professional development, we empower women, drive innovation and foster sustainability within the maritime industry, to the benefit of all.”
At the event in London, UK, Dominguez recognised the work being carried out as part of IMO’s longstanding Women in Maritime programme, which takes a three-pronged approach to ensuring training, visibility and recognition for women. The programme, which was initiated in 1988, supports gender equality and the empowerment of women through gender-specific fellowships. It also provides access to high-level technical training for women and support for career development opportunities in maritime administrations, ports and maritime training institutes. Additionally, it also facilitates the establishment of associations for professional women in the maritime sector, particularly in developing countries. Currently only 20 per cent of the workforce of national maritime authorities are women, according to the IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime survey.
At the symposium the IMO handed out its first-ever Gender Equality Award to Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou of Cyprus, former president of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International). Theodosiou received the award for her dedicated service to women in shipping during her tenure as president.
The event, which will include speeches from a line-up of seafarers, maritime professionals and maritime leaders, will be livestreamed on IMO’s Youtube Channel from 14:30 BST.
International Day of Women in Maritime celebrates women in the industry and aims to raise the profile of women in maritime, as well as strengthen IMO's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and support the work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime.