Central and Latin America celebrated the launch of a new maritime network for women which joins the IMO family of regional Women in Maritime Associations (WIMAs), giving visibility and recognition to the role women play as key resources for the maritime sector.
Sixty two women from 18 countries came together in Valparaíso, Chile, on 13-15 December, to set up a framework for the newly formed network, as well as share ideas and knowledge about the industry.
This initiative in the region is also expected to contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Financial support for the event was provided by Malaysia and hosted by the Maritime Authority of Chile (DIRECTEMAR).
The countries participating were Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.
In late October, 30 women from nine Arab countries launched The Arab Association for Women in the Maritime Sector (AWIMA).
