Celebrated annually on 18 May, the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime aims to honor the achievements of women in the maritime sector and encourage greater gender diversity and inclusion. The day serves as a platform to promote recruitment, retention, and leadership roles for women in maritime, while reaffirming the IMO’s dedication to UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality.
Highlighting the Gender Gap in Maritime
Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in the maritime workforce. According to the 2022 IMO-WISTA survey, only 2% of the crewing workforce is female, with most women employed in the cruise sector. While women make up 34% of the workforce in ship-owning companies, their presence is often concentrated in administrative roles (48%). Only 28% work in technical core roles, and 39% in mid-management. Leadership remains a hurdle, with only 125 female CEOs among 500 surveyed companies
Theme 2025: ‘Ocean of Opportunities for Women’
This year’s theme, “Ocean of opportunities for women,” emphasizes the untapped potential of women across diverse maritime roles – from ocean scientists and engineers to policy makers and administrators. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called on the industry to act collectively by fostering education, mentorship, inclusive policies, and a shift in workplace culture to eliminate barriers and create lasting change.
Driving Change Through Advocacy and Visibility
The IMO is encouraging the maritime community to celebrate role models, share stories, and amplify voices that drive gender equality at sea. Campaigns on social media urge users to tag individuals “making waves” in the industry and highlight how they support diversity. The call to action is clear: it’s time to build momentum for change, challenge gender norms, and unlock opportunities for future generations of women in maritime.
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Source: SAFETY4SEA
