An outlook into gender equality in the maritime industry

International Day of Women in Maritime is celebrated on 18 May each year to recognise women’s contributions to the maritime industry, promote recruitment and retention of women in maritime and to support work to address the current gender imbalance in the industry.

In 2022, the IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime survey shed light on the strides and setbacks to gender equality in the maritime industry - with representation of women in maritime generally low and significantly disproportionate across industry sectors.

Women account for 29% of the overall workforce in the industry, with just 20% within the workforce of national maritime authorities in member states of the IMO. Even more stark is that women comprise just 2% of seafarers and 10% of search and rescue teams in national maritime authorities.

While these figures have hopefully changed in the two years since, perhaps this could be in part a testament to the important role the International Day of Women in Maritime plays in creating change. This day really does put the spotlight on the gaping deficit of women in the maritime workforce and speaks volumes of where the lack of diversity lies. But whilst the statistics paint a tough picture, they consequently inform where and how remedies need to be targeted.

“As a first snapshot, this survey gives telling evidence of how much work still needs to be done. But it also shows us where there are a few bright spots. The maritime industry can see for itself which sectors are pushing ahead with diversity, and which are not.” - Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, former president of WISPA, Long way still to go before gender equality in shipping 

The general commentary following the first International Day for Women in Maritime offered insight into the rate and nature of change to accommodate women in the maritime industry, reflecting on the progress made. The production of women’s boiler suits feels like a great step in acknowledging that there is, and ought to be, space for women in this field. 

In light of these findings, progress in gender equality can be achieved through a variety of ways:

• Recognising and celebrating female role models in the industry - drawing on their experience and knowledge for mentoring.
• Education from a young age - particularly on the variety of career options available onshore and offshore, career projection and progression.
• An array of training, including on gender sensitisation.
• Setting clearly defined, outcome-specific objectives.
• Promoting change at policy level, including targeted ways to address and dismantle the specific reluctances and fears, including job security in maternity.

“We need to be training people, we need men as allies, more women leaders as role models.” - Gina Panayiotou, founder of Oceans Arena, Long way still to go before gender equality in shipping

As part of this year’s campaign for the International Day for Women in Maritime, those in the maritime industry have been invited to share their pictures of women in maritime safety – aligning with this year’s theme of “Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety”. In 2023, we partnered with renowned portrait and documentary photographer Nina Varumo to gain exclusive access to her photo series highlighting the working life of female seafarers, recognising the power of imagery in creating a more tangible depiction of the female experience in maritime. You can access our interview with Nina and photos from her project here.

Authors:
Jennifer Carr, Associate, London
Rebecca Daniels, Associate, London
Merna Daabis, Trainee Solicitor, London