The second Women in Maritime Survey has been launched to gather important baseline data about women’s participation in the maritime and ocean fields.
Conducted every three years by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International), the survey takes a global snapshot of how many women work in these sectors and in what roles.
The aim is to analyze trends and support the creation of programmes and policies to boost women’s participation in maritime. The previous study, published in 2021, highlighted a male-dominated sector, with women making up less than a third of the overall maritime workforce, and less than 2% of seafarers.
Key findings of the 2021 survey include:
- Women currently make up 20% of the workforce in surveyed maritime authorities and agencies.
- To ensure equal female participation in the maritime industry, this share needs to be improved.
- Higher response rates from Member States are needed to validate these findings and encourage data collection on female participation.
- Of the 45 Member States that provided data, 41 have implemented measures for gender equality in recruitment and promotion, including non-financial strategies like neutral language in job ads and diverse interview panels.
- About half of the Member States ensure pay equality, which is crucial for staff retention.
- There is a significant gender imbalance in technical roles, with only 14% of staff in these positions being female.
- The maritime industry should offer clear career development opportunities to attract and retain women.
This survey is more than just a data collection effort. It is a strategic move towards the evolution of our industry. The insights gathered can be used to develop forward thinking policies that will elevate inclusion and diversity.
… commented WISTA International President, Elpi Petraki.
The survey includes two streams – one for IMO member governments and one for industry, including companies, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, and private maritime training institutes or academies.
The survey runs from 2 September to 31 December 2024, with the final report to be published in May 2025.
The Women in Maritime survey is part of IMO long-standing advocacy and technical cooperation efforts to enhance women’s empowerment and advance gender balance in the maritime sector.
Join me in championing diversity and fostering a barrier free workplace for all by completing the survey, which will allow for a more targeted use of resources and ensure that we are well placed to navigate the challenges that the future brings.
… said IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez
To fill out the survey click here.
