18 May International Day for Women in Maritime

Today marks International Day for Women in Maritime, meant to highlight and celebrate the role of women in the historically a male-dominated maritime industry and identify areas where there is gender balance.

The UN International Maritime Organization adopted a resolution in December designating May 18th as International Day for Women in Maritime.

The day of observance celebrates women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime, strengthen IMO’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), and support work to address the current gender imbalance in the industry.

“There is still a gender imbalance in maritime – but times are changing,” said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim. “It is recognized that diversity in maritime benefits the entire sector. Women in maritime are working everywhere to support the transition to a decarbonized, digitalized and more sustainable future.”

“Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the many women who are contributing to the future of maritime: maintaining an engine on a ship, running a company, drawing up a contract, surveying a vessel, or chairing an IMO committee meeting,” Secretary-General Lim added. “While there is much to celebrate, there is also the need for more progress to be made.”