Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President, World Maritime University (WMU), discusses shipping industry and the role women play in the sector. She focuses on the fact that although many are the women who graduate from institutions with oceans and maritime programmes, few are those who get the chance to take a leadership position in ocean activities.
Specifically, Dr Doumbia-Henry highlights that the shipping sector is unable to attract, employ, and retain women as employees, while also promote and support women in leadership roles. Keeping in mind that the shipping industry is still a male-dominated sector, another challenge is the gender pay gap, based on which HR Consulting noted that men earn almost 44% more than women.
Moreover, diversity is also one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 (SDG 5 – Gender Equality), aiming to ‘ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.’ In addition, June’s 25th ‘Day of Seafarers’ highlighted the importance of gender equality and diversity in the shipping industry.
Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry added
Diversity in the workplace and gender diversity in leaders, are important for the future maritime and ocean communities. Both men and women are responsible for our future, our oceans, and our children.
Yet, for the time being there’s a lack of data concerning the number of women, except those working or seeking jobs as seafarers, that work in the maritime sector. In part, this is because of the diversity of occupations involved, including port management, financing, logistics, insurance, maritime lawyers, maritime administrations, regulators.
Although the industry is aware of gender gap in the maritime sector, the reasons why the progress is slow vary; access to education, training and capacity-building as well identifying and eliminating the physical and social barriers that prevent women from participating are pre-requisites for progress.
