Observed globally on 18 May every year, Women in
Maritime Day seeks to raise the profile of women in maritime, while promoting
their recruitment, retention and sustained employment in the
sector. Currently, only 29% of the overall maritime workforce and 20% of the workforce of national maritime authorities are
women. Women make up less than 2% of seafarers worldwide. Speaking at an international event to mark the
occasion on Friday, 17 May 2024, the Secretary-General of the International
Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez stated: “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.” The rise of digitalization and automation as well
as green technology in the sector will require new skills and potentially
signal new career opportunities for women. “Change is both necessary and coming… With
increase in trade and the transition towards a greener and more sustainable
sector, the opportunities to enhance diversity and inclusion are in front of
us. I want you all to look at how you can drive understanding, awareness and
change within your own organizations,” said Mr. Dominguez. He recognized the work carried out under IMO’s
long-standing Women in Maritime programme, which takes a three-pronged approach of
‘training-visibility-recognition’ for women. Initiated in 1988, the programme supports gender
equality and the empowerment of women through gender specific fellowships;
access to high-level technical training for women; support for career
development opportunities in maritime administrations, ports and maritime
training institutes; and by facilitating the establishment of professional
women in maritime associations, particularly in developing
countries. IMO is strongly committed to helping its Member
States achieve the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 to achieve gender
equality and empower all women and girls. Safe Horizons - Women Shaping the Future of
Maritime Safety IMO is hosting an international symposium on
Friday, 17 May 2024 at IMO Headquarters in London, under the theme ‘Safe
Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety.’ The Symposium features a line-up of distinguished
seafarers, maritime professionals and maritime leaders who will speak about
reframing maritime safety through a woman’s lens, and how to implement a
holistic approach to safety at sea, taking into account gender
considerations. As part of the programme, the first-ever IMO Gender Equality
Award will be handed to Ms. Despina Panayiotou
Theodosiou of Cyprus, former President of the Women's International Shipping
and Trading Association (WISTA International). The event will be livestreamed on IMO’s Youtube
Channel. Full details can be found here: International Day for Women
in Maritime 2024. Symposium "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the
Future of Maritime Safety" Date: 17 May
2024 Time: From 2.30
p.m. Place: IMO
Headquarters, London, and online Programme 2.30 – 2.45 p.m. Opening · Mr. Arsenio Dominguez - Secretary-General, IMO · Ms. Elpi Petraki - President, WISTA International 2.45 – 3.45 p.m. Panel discussion - Reframing
maritime safety Moderator: Ms. Michelle
Sanders - IMOGENder Network /Alternate Permanent Representative of Canada to
IMO Panellists: · Ms. Dorothea Ioannou - Chief Executive Officer, SCB, Inc., Managers of
the American P&I Club · Ms. Karin Orsel - Chair, European Community Shipowners
Association · Capt. Gemma Capone - Marine Pilot Loadmaster/Marine Assurance
Specialist · Ms. Carolina Riesco - Partner, Goldenberg & Riesco/Maritime Law
Advisor · Mr. Helio Vicente - Director, Employment Affairs International Chamber
of Shipping 3.45 – 4 p.m. Presentation - Diversity@Sea
pilot project · Capt. Jaquelyn Burton - Master Mariner and Head of Creative Design,
Kongsberg Maritime · Prof. Momoko Kitada - Full Professor and Head, Maritime Education and
Training (MET), World Maritime University 5.10 – 5.30 p.m. Gender Equality Award Ceremony Social media campaign IMO is inviting women in maritime and the entire
maritime community to celebrate the day on social media using the hashtag #WomenInMaritimeDay,
tagging IMO on X formerly Twitter; LinkedIn; Instagram;
and Facebook to
spread the message. |
||||||
Contact Information
|