Imagine a man’s society where you are the only female, what would the challenges be and what would you do differently? Women constitute a small minority of seafarers for many reasons, so chances are there is a proportion of one-two females and 18-19 males in a random whole of 20 crew members onboard.
A persistence in tradition and several anachronistic social structure models seem to be holding the shipping industry away from being more inclusive and diversified and brings women of the 21st century still confronted with superstitions and misconceptions around their potential participation in seafaring careers.
It is a fact that, in general, women do not receive adequate support, neither from their people nor from society, to pursue seafaring careers. While the reasons behind this phenomenon are a different subject on their own, this is vastly interrelated with their integration to social life onboard. Do female seafarers have the same opportunities to interact onboard? Is it possible they feel lonelier than their mates?
Let us take a closer look at the potential social challenges that women may face as a great minority of world’s seafarers:
-Problem of acceptance
Shipping is a male-dominated industry, not only in administrational level, but mostly onboard ships, where women may feel left out or ignored. Fully adapting into in a strictly male working environment, such as a cargo ship, may often seem a challenging and time-consuming task.
The ship, as a reflection of only masculine values, can be a positive ground for discrimination. Common technical difficulties, such as difficulties in operating mechanical equipment or, simpler, the size of uniforms, helmets, boots and other critical life-saving equipment that may not physically match a female body, as well as specific onboard tasks that may require men’s strength from a physical point of view, can all adversely affect the social acceptance of a female seafarer.
A survey to female seafarers of 2013 from the Maritime University of Constanta revealed the majority of women seafarers believed they were discriminated against men and not regarded as good workers from an equal perspective. One of the biggest challenges for women in this field is combating perceptions that such jobs are meant only for men, which maybe an adverse effect for their smooth social integration.
In a publication on gender equality in shipping, ISWAN, WISTA and Anglo-Eastern cited harassment and mostly, sexual harassment, as key forms of discrimination a woman can encounter while at sea. Sexual harassment is typically defined as “unwelcome or uninvited behaviour of a sexual nature that is offensive, embarrassing, intimidating or humiliating.”
While male seafarers can also be victims of sexual harassment, the majority of reported cases generally relate to female seafarers: An IMHA survey of 2015 to 595 female seafarers revealed that over 18% of those had been subject to sexual harassment on ships. Therefore, many women are reluctant to enter the ship as a working environment as they are afraid of potential physical harassment and violence, as well as low levels of support from co-workers.
-Inefficient communication with loved ones
Limited connectivity is a generic problem for seafarers who leave their people behind, but a 2018 survey by The Mission to Seafarers found that, for female crew, an internet connection can also help to deal with the pressure of being the only woman onboard.
The social impact of women presence onboard
The fear of isolation is one of the major factors making women reluctant to opt for a career at sea. However, earlier data by the International Transport Workers’ Federation suggests that the presence of women seafarers as part of the crew can reduce the sense of isolation felt by many seafarers, which means a more balanced social environment.
This is particularly important, taking into consideration not only the general nature of seafaring life, but also the current situation with crews remaining trapped on ships unable to be repatriated for consecutive months amid pandemic, which requires a robust social environment to help crews cope with the increased stress.
For example, someone could wonder, would things be slightly different if an equal proportion of men and women were stranded at sea amid the ongoing crisis? Would life onboard be more balanced? Would the feelings of loneliness be smoother?
The way forward
Solutions to effectively address harassment could include an independent hotline or reporting process, sensitization and diversity training of all cadets and trainees and seafarers, as well as amendments to relevant ILO instruments for seafarers, ILO has earlier advised. It is a fact that shipping companies hiring women seafarers have policies in places to protect and safeguard their rights, through numerous complaint procedures.
However, in a world of equal opportunities, problems like hostility from male crew and reluctance to accept women seafarers for employment should be considered as anachronistic. Entering in 2021, the discussion should not be around preserving women’s rights against men, but preserving seafarers’ rights as a vital professional group against the world. Hopefully, the new era is more fruitful for someone to “prove herself” simply with her work and active participation, and earn respect without more questions.
Did you know?
- Currently, less than 2% of seafarers globally are women, a figure that persists for over a decade.
- 2019 was a year of awareness on gender balance for the maritime industry, with IMO devoting the Day of the Seafarer, as well as the World Maritime Day, to the encouragement of more women in shipping.
