The European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) have discussed possible solutions to increase women’s participation in the shipping industry in Europe.
Today, women amount for 2% of the seafaring workforce available for the EU fleet, whilst gender equality is being considered as a fundamental value for sustainable and inclusive growth.
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Discussions focused on maritime training and career development for women, as well as the recruitment and retention of women in the shipping industry.
Martin Dorsman, Secretary General of the ECSA, mentioned:
If we want strong, prosperous and socially sustainable maritime clusters in Europe, gender diversity should be a leading principle as a means to attract and retain new talent in the shipping industry. Women role models in senior positions can help to send a message across the industry that women do have a place in this traditionally male-dominated sector.
In order to attract more women to the industry, the working conditions must be improved for everyone, Tonka Cupic, ETF Maritime Transport representative to the ETF Women’s Committee said.
Ms. Cupic also added that combination of work and family life and prevention of harassment are key to recruiting but also retaining more women seafarers.
