The IMO (International Maritime Organisation) have been empowering women to succeed in the maritime industries over the past 30 years, with bespoke & designated training programmes, benefiting women in ports, on the shore side & on ships. (1)
These programmes have been tailor made to encourage & empower women in what has been a seemingly traditional male bastion of industry & business.
The IMO (International Maritime Organisation) have been empowering women to succeed in the maritime industries over the past 30 years, with bespoke & designated training programmes, benefiting women in ports, on the shore side & on ships. (1)
As far back as 1988, there were few maritime training establishments who welcomed female students. The UN agencies, in recognition of this gender gap, created a global programme known as the Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector. With a phased introduction, the programme has put an institutional framework in place, to incorporate a gender element into the IMO’s policies & procedures; ensuring access to maritime training & employment opportunities for women are recognised in the maritime sector.
The programme having evolved & been renamed the ‘Women in Maritime programme’, has seen a large upsurge in women taking up roles in the maritime sectors. The IMO has supported female graduates through World Maritime University (WMU) & the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) & these outstanding students are now employed around the globe as administrators & decision makers in the maritime sector. In addition, the IMO has spear headed gender-specific fellowships enabling women to access high-level technical training for women in the maritime sector in developing countries. (2)
“IMO has a strong commitment to helping achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and continues to support the participation of women in both shore-based and seagoing posts, in line with the goals outlined under SDG 5: ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’,” Kitack Lim, IMO Secretary-General, said. (2)
Dolphin N2 has considerable ties to the IMO & in particular the GIA (Global Industry Alliance) as Simon Brewster – CEO Dolphin N2 (as a representative of Ricardo Plc) is one of the 18 signatories for the IMO/GIA task force. “The ‘Women in Maritime programme’ is vital to create balance in the maritime sector & I support the vast scope of work the IMO are undertaking” Simon Brewster – CEO Dolphin N2
The theme adopted for this year’s IMO World Maritime Day is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community” This has been chosen to re-emphasise the UN SDG No: 5 ‘Gender Equality’ with a focus on understanding that women & men should be afforded the same opportunities in training & employment.
This has been chosen to re-emphasise the UN SDG No: 5 ‘Gender Equality’ with a focus on understanding that women & men should be afforded the same opportunities in training & employment.
‘Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. Implementing new legal frameworks regarding female equality in the workplace and the eradication of harmful practices targeted at women is crucial to ending the gender-based discrimination prevalent in many countries around the world.’ (3)
With the 3rd International Women’s Conference in April 2019 focusing on the IMO theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”, we take a look back to the inception of the World Maritime University Women’s Association (WMUWA) launch in August 2014 & the very first Maritime Women: Global Leadership International Conference (MWGL). Attendees represented areas throughout the maritime sector, 265 women & men from 74 countries; participated in the event to discuss the advancement of women in maritime professions. (4)
Nigeran born Mfon Ekong Usoro – an American Lawyer specialising in Maritime Law & Secretary General Memorandum of Understanding on port state control for West and Central Africa in Lagos, Nigeria, speaking in 2014 said “There are challenges for us, for women to be seen & heard. There are systemic challenges whereby establishments have to make a conscious decision to include women in decision making positions” (5)
Sidiswa Nhlomayo – Executive Head, Centre for Maritime Excellence corroborated this by saying “We need to be able to present a menu of opportunities to see what people want to do, to enable women to see that they can be part of the on shore maritime sector, with employment opportunities such as administrators, lawyers & safety experts”.(5)
Education plays a huge part in the way in which the IMO are continuing their programme to spearhead the involvement with & the uptake in the maritime sector. Wendy Watson-Wright PH.D – Assistant Director General & Executive Secretary, UNESCO-IOC said on the subject of education & in particular about the World Maritime University programmes, “Education allows women to meet the leaders of today, while becoming the leaders of tomorrow” (5)
In 2013 alone, 744 women from 93 counties graduated from the World Maritime University & with their slogan ‘Training’ ‘Visibility’ ‘Recognition’ creating a resounding message about the power of education & equality; it is evident that the necessity for gender equality in the maritime sector is being taken seriously.
In 2013 alone, 744 women from 93 counties graduated from the World Maritime University & with their slogan ‘Training’ ‘Visibility’ ‘Recognition’ creating a resounding message about the power of education & equality; it is evident that the necessity for gender equality in the maritime sector is being taken seriously.
Dolphin N2 are mindful of the need for equality in the maritime industries & are looking forward to the 3rd International Conference on Empowering Women on the Maritime Community, to be held at the World Maritime University between the 4-5 April 2019.
Written by Katy-Jane Mason on behalf of Dolphin N2
- http://www.allaboutshipping.co.uk/2019/03/08/international-womens-day-imo-women-in-maritime-profiles-launch/
- https://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/256582/imo-world-maritime-day-2019-to-focus-on-women/
- https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/
- https://www.wmu.se/news/maritime-women-global-leadership-unprecedented-event
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmV0RJR1AcE
