IMO, in collaboration with the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International) and Maritime SheEO, announced the launch of the Maritime SheEO Leadership Accelerator Programme 2022.
The Maritime SheEO Leadership Accelerator Programme was developed with the assistance of key industry experts working with IMO and WISTA. It will enable women to become part of an active and trustworthy network of female executives who support and inspire each other along their leadership journey.
The programme was launched on March 8, during a live webinar focussing on “The Next Generation Of Women Leaders In Engine Rooms, Bridges and Board Rooms”.
The Maritime SheEO Leadership Accelerator Programme launches at a time when the industry recognises that it needs more women leaders. It was specially curated and designed to provide management knowledge and skills to help women in the maritime industry move into leadership roles.
During the webinar, Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization said that the maritime industry is working to transition to a more sustainable future. He also acknowledged that diversity in leadership is good for business and that woman leaders are vital for the future of maritime.
During his speech, Mr Lim also mentioned the 18th of May, when the IMO celebrates the inaugural International Day of Women in Maritime. The day will provide an annual platform to recognise women in the industry, promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime as well as to strengthen IMO’s commitment to gender equality and support work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime.
The women who will begin this programme represent our future. Some are already in roles of some authority and leadership, others aspiring to gain further recognition and position in their careers
said Despina Theodosiou, President, WISTA International welcomed the 2022 cohort, adding also that “the objective is to increasingly build up gender and diversity awareness, where leaders do not choose their workforce based on gender, colour or ethnicity, but on capability and being fit for the job.”
Now, it is expected that this initial programme marks the start of a regular schedule which will be conducted in English. The Leadership Accelerator Programme includes self-study modules and project presentations by the participants, culminating in an online graduation.
Places are available to members of IMO Women in Maritime Associations and National WISTA Associations. All 30 places in this first cohort are sponsored by IMO. This global initiative will also help to create visible role models and pave the way for more women to enter and aspire to apply for leadership and Board positions.
Women leaders will bring skills, different perspectives, and innovative ideas that lead to better decision-making as a whole for the business. Especially for the younger generation, the power of role models cannot be overlooked. This important programme aims at helping women reach their untapped potential
Sanjam Gupta, Founder, Maritime SheEO, concluded.
This is a very good initiative of empowerment.