05/26/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/26/2023 14:44
The maritime industry is a vast realm of opportunities, where women are making waves and reshaping the course of the shipping world. We embarked on a journey to honor the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in maritime across the globe. From leading organizations to driving innovation, these trailblazers are breaking barriers and leaving an unforgettable mark on the industry.
As we celebrate Women in Maritime Day 2023, we must acknowledge the pivotal role women play in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Their expertise, resilience, and unwavering determination are transforming the maritime landscape and inspiring generations to come.
Credit: International Maritime OrganizationWe're highlighting the incredible stories of women defying conventions and pushing boundaries in maritime. See the triumphs, challenges, and groundbreaking initiatives they lead, promoting diversity, sustainability, and innovation.
Let's meet the exceptional women from different corners of the globe who are making waves in the shipping industry and hear their stories that will inspire and empower all women:
Aoife O'Leary, Opportunity Green
How important do you think it is to increase women's participation in the maritime sector?
It's hugely important to increase women's participation in the maritime sector. How any sector could meet today's challenges without having the best talent at its fingertips is a mystery to me. Unfortunately, the maritime sector is missing out on a sizable proportion of the talent that exists in the world by being so male-dominated and this has got to change! In addition, women are going to be affected by climate change the most because they are always among the most vulnerable in any society.
At Opportunity Green we are also trying to promote wider diversity in the maritime climate negotiations by supporting climate-vulnerable countries to participate more fully in the discussions in London by providing them with information and support as much as possible.
What role can governments play in promoting sustainable practices in the maritime industry?
Governments are the main actor that can promote sustainable practices in the maritime industry. The industry runs primarily on oil at the moment and there isn't enough movement within the industry to move away from that. Without regulation, that is unlikely to change.
That is one reason why at Opportunity Green we are creating a coalition of shipping and aviation companies called SASHA (Skies and Seas Hydrogen-fuels Accelerator Coalition) to work with governments to ensure we have the right regulations in place to truly drive sustainable change.
Naa Densua Aryeetey, RINAKOM Maritime & Trade Consult
What are some of the benefits of transitioning to a cleaner maritime shipping industry?
The maritime shipping industry is known to be a contributor to climate change. The world is moving towards decarbonization by 2050 with benefits like:
Ensuring a just and equitable transition to Zero emissions, meaning sustainability goals must go hand in hand with equitable economic development and growth goals
For Africa, recent studies show that decarbonization leading to Zero carbon emissions by 2050 in Africa will bring immense benefits to the continent. Africa, therefore, can gain much with its buildup of renewable energy and the capacity to produce the new zero-carbon energy economy's minerals, hardware, and software.
Credit: International Maritime OrganizationWhat challenges are faced by women working in the maritime industry, and how can they be addressed?
The maritime industry has long been perceived as a male-dominated industry, a place not for women. However, women have been encouraged to go past this perception and find work in the industry. In spite of their courage, women continue to face challenges in the workplace both at sea and shore-based. Challenges such as
There is now a need for more support for these women seafarers. Clear policies by companies, and a change in attitudes of fellow male colleagues, and superiors. The fear of victimization, and discrimination on board ships, keep women seafarers isolated. It is about time the men onboard are trained on gender and women empowerment. The need to have women on board vessels and the benefits thereof for all. There must be significant changes made in both the work environment and also in respect of welfare support they can access.
In Ghana, most organizations have Conditions of Service, which spell out the employee's rights and obligations and that of the employer usually the government. Training opportunities and other benefits are spelled out in these conditions of service. The employees also have Unions who have a negotiating right to negotiate for any increases in salary, allowance, and benefits including bonuses at the end of the year.
Women account for just a little over 1% of the workforce in maritime, making them the minority and putting them at a disadvantage. There have been a lot of studies and surveys done by a number of organizations, some of which have been carried out in collaboration with WISTA, ISWAN, and International Chamber of Shipping and Anglo-Eastern who all offer solutions to these challenges.
Lucy Gilliam, Seas At Risk
What drove you to work in maritime shipping?
What do you see as the most critical issues the shipping industry must deal with in the next decade?
There is a global permacrisis. Climate, biodiversity, poverty, wars. We need robust enforceable rules to transition the shipping/trade industry to operate within planetary boundaries. Transparency is critical. We must hold policymakers to account & stop the fossil lobby.
What are the pollutants that we need to remove within the maritime industry?
This year's theme for the Day of The Seafarer is "Oceans Worth Protecting". To protect our oceans is to protect the conditions that those who live on the water need to endure every single day. And we can help them by eliminating the pollutants of the mind, body, spirit, and social environment on board. Self-awareness leads to other awareness. And reaching a higher level of environmental health, we need to clean up the stigma, stereotypes, bullying, harassment, and harm which face humans while working at sea.
What drove you to work in maritime shipping?
What drove me to the maritime was pure chance - I was invited to Singapore to look into the working environment of the crew on board an FSRU, and the rest is history! And while I probably didn't know what I was walking into then, I know that I will remain in this industry simply because I have gained a deep respect for the men and women out there. Another main reason that keeps me here is my own personal passion for making health solutions accessible to many. I'd rather go out and try to reach people than sit in my office waiting for them to come to me. And for this reason, the WellAtSea program has come into existence.
Madeline Rose, Pacific Environment
What can consumers do to support the transition toward cleaner shipping practices?
Consumers can help accelerate cleaner maritime shipping by purchasing from brands that have committed to reducing their emissions! Through our people-powered Ship It Zero campaign, we've compelled Amazon, Target, IKEA, Patagonia, and more to ship with 100% zero emissions by 2040! Now, we're calling on Home Depot and Lowes to follow in their wake. Join us at https://shipitzero.org.
Credit: International Maritime OrganizationHow can the maritime shipping industry attract more women to take up careers in the sector and what advice do you have for women interested in pursuing?
Women are stepping up globally to lead our society to end the climate crisis. For shipping companies to attract more women to take up careers in maritime, they need to stop greenwashing, end fossil fuel reliance, and move on to the energy transition. My advice to women coming into maritime: the shipping industry's old guard is systemically patriarchal. Find female friends and mentors - and legitimate male allies! Be prepared to be the only woman on panels and in rooms. And help bring more women in!
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Learn more about these incredible women in this article or share this story and let us make their voices heard, break down barriers, and foster an inclusive and diverse industry. Together, we will propel the voices of women in maritime to new heights.
You can also head on over to our recent Twitter Chat at #WIMDay2023, where these women shared what it's like to work in the industry, how we can do better, and the ways they are working to eliminate pollution.
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