Today is the inaugural International Day for Women in Maritime, a day dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating women across the maritime industry.
The International Maritime Organization formally adopted the International Day for Women in Maritime in December last year and it will be observed on 18 May annually from this year onwards.
This year’s celebrations focus on the theme “Training-Visibility-Recognition: Supporting a barrier-free working environment”, and the IMO has invited all industry stakeholders to participate.
In a message to the industry, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said the observance aims promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the sector and support work to address the current gender imbalance.
“There is still a gender imbalance in maritime – but times are changing. It is recognized that diversity in maritime benefits the entire sector. Women in maritime are working everywhere to support the transition to a decarbonized, digitalized and more sustainable future.
“Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the many women who are contributing to the future of maritime: maintaining an engine on a ship, running a company, drawing up a contract, surveying a vessel, or chairing an IMO committee meeting.
“While there is much to celebrate, there is also the need for more progress to be made,” he said.
IMO is marking the occasion with a virtual symposium, the release of a women in maritime report and a social media campaign.
On social media, IMO invites women in maritime to share images of themselves in their working environments using the hashtag #WomenInMaritimeDay.
IMO also invites allies to share images of themselves with the woman/women in maritime who make their working lives better.
