How to Support Women in Maritime
The maritime Industry is a beautiful industry where women can dream, progress and achieve their goals. While much is spoken about the industry being male dominated, that scene has changed considerably in recent years and today we have women in various domains and capacities climbing the ladder of success. The maritime industry has traditionally been male dominated, with women representing a smaller proportion of the workforce. However, there have been significant efforts to increase gender diversity and inclusion in the maritime sector. Still, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), women represent only around 2% of the world’s seafarers.
At a personal level, I have been associated with the Maritime industry for over 2 decades and worked in various capacities. This is indeed an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by women in the maritime sector, highlight their achievements and successes, and advocate for greater gender diversity and inclusion in the industry. Gender and inclusion in the maritime sector are critical issues that have historically been characterized by gender imbalances and lack of diversity.
While the number of female seafarers has been increasing gradually, women remain a minority in seafaring roles such as deck officers, engineers, and ratings. However, there has been a growing recognition of the valuable contributions of female seafarers in various capacities on board ships. Women face significant barriers to entry and advancement in seafaring roles, including challenges related to recruitment, training opportunities, and on-board accommodations. However, with time there has been a growing recognition of the valuable contributions that women can make as seafarers, leading to initiatives aimed at promoting gender diversity in this area.
By actively recruiting and supporting girl cadets and emphasizing a culture of no discrimination, Scorpio is taking positive steps towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for future seafarers. The focus is on providing comprehensive training that goes beyond technical skills to encompass personal and professional development.
Building on qualities such as leadership, communication, teamwork, resilience, and cultural awareness, is crucial for preparing cadets for the challenges they may encounter at sea and in their careers. By valuing and nurturing talent from diverse backgrounds, Scorpio is helping to shape a more vibrant and resilient workforce for the future. Scorpio is committed to investing in the growth and success of all its cadets, regardless of gender.
Empowering cadets through self-discovery and fostering a supportive learning environment can help them thrive both personally and professionally.
Shore-Based Careers
Women are increasingly pursuing careers in shore-based roles within the maritime industry, including port management, maritime law, logistics, maritime education and training, research, and advocacy. Efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion have led to more opportunities for women in these areas.
Women in the maritime industry continue to face various barriers and challenges, including gender bias, stereotypes, discrimination, lack of support networks, and limited access to training and career advancement opportunities. Addressing these barriers is crucial for achieving gender equality and empowering women within the maritime sector.
– Puja Rawat, Learning & Development Manager
This article featured in Beacon 26. Scorpio seafarers can access and download all issues of the Beacon from DocMap while onboard.
