On 26 September, the global maritime community celebrates the annual World Maritime Day, under the theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community“. Gender equality has been recognized as one of the key drivers to enhance diversity and therefore efficiency in the business world, and especially in the male-dominated shipping sector.
Gender equality has been recognized as one of the key platforms on which people can build a sustainable future. It is one of the 17 goals that underpin the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda, which countries all over the world have pledged to implement,
…said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, on the occasion of the WMD 2019.
Gender equality constitutes one of the main pillars for achieving a sustainable future under the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Helping our Member States achieve the SDGs and deliver the 2030 Agenda is one of our key strategic directions. Gender equality and decent work for all are among those goals – SDGs 5 and 8- and, although we are highlighting the role of women in the maritime community this year, I want to stress that this is part of a continuing, long-term effort in support of these objectives,
…Mr. Lim said.
World Maritime Day is an official United Nations day, providing an opportunity to focus attention on the importance of shipping. Each year has its own world maritime theme, which is used to steer events and activities throughout the year.
In line with this year’s theme, numerous activities throughout 2019 have helped support the message that, for sustainability and success in the modern world, empowering women in the maritime community makes sense.
Marking the World Maritime Day 2019 – Live updates
A series of activities and events have already been held during 2019 related to the theme, Empowering Women in the Maritime Community.
Today, IMO is inviting anyone interested to post photos, stories and messages of support on social media, using the hashtags, #WorldMaritimeDay and #WomeninMaritime.
Governments, individually, jointly and regionally are encouraged to mark World Maritime Day on a date of their choosing but usually in the last week of September.
On the occasion of 26th September 2019:
–Craig Jasienski, President & CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen, officially became a WISTA member.
To build a sustainable future of shipping and logistics, we need to bring together diverse views, experiences and perspectives in a workplace where everyone can thrive. I hope to see many more men join me as members of WISTA, to join the conversation and together build a truly inclusive industry,
…he stated.
–Celebrity Cruises announced a 19% increase in the number of women working onboard its ships since 2015.
–Sailor’s Society announced a new scholarship for a young female Marine Engineering student.
–ICS joined IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at the 2019 World Maritime Day Celebration to share a video on the role of women in shipping today.
— Maritime UK announced that Women in Maritime Pledge has been signed by over 110 companies.
IMO highlights on gender equality 2019
- Launch of women in maritime profiles, showcasing success stories of women in ports;
- 4-5 April – 3rd International conference on Empowering Women in the Maritime Community at the World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden;
- ‘I am onboard for gender equality’ chosen as the theme of the Day of the Seafarer on 25 June;
- Launch of the ‘Turning the Tide’ film, showcasing that “It’s not about your gender, it’s about what you can do”;
These moves, under the IMO’s Women in Maritime programme, seek to encourage IMO Member States to open the doors of their maritime institutes to enable women to train alongside men and acquire the high-level of competence that the maritime industry demands.
Launched over 30 years ago, the program continues to support the empowerment of women in maritime, through gender specific fellowships, promoting career development opportunities in maritime administrations, ports and maritime training institutes, and easing the establishment of professional women in maritime associations, particularly in developing countries.
