"Women are integral part of maritime workforce": UN marks International Day for Women in Maritime
New York, May 18
The United Nations on Monday highlighted the growing role of women in the global shipping and maritime sector, calling for greater inclusion and visibility on the occassion of the International Day for Women in Maritime.
In a post on X, the UN said, "Women are an integral part of the maritime workforce. Monday's International Day for Women in Maritime is an opportunity to promote and celebrate their contributions to the maritime community."
The message marked the International Day for Women in Maritime, observed annually on May 18, which aims to promote and celebrate women's contributions across the maritime industry and encourage gender equality in the sector.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) also announced a commemorative event titled "From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence," aligned with the broader World Maritime theme.
The IMO said that the event will be held on May 18 at its headquarters (HQ) in London and will also be livestreamed, bringing together policymakers and industry stakeholders to discuss gender balance and inclusion in maritime professions.
As part of the program, the IMO will host the 'Gender Equality Award Ceremony', where Professor Momoko Kitada, nominated by Japan, will receive the IMO Gender Equality Award 2026.
The organisation said, "IMO invites women in maritime and professionals across the entire industry to celebrate this year's theme by joining us on social media. We want to hear your stories and see your impact."
It further added, "Share your photos, videos, and insights using the hashtag #WomenInMaritimeDay. Whether you are working on board, in the office, or at the policy level, your contribution matters. Let's make the industry visible, diverse, and inclusive."
It said, "IMO Member States, the maritime industry, and all others in the maritime endeavour are invited to promote and celebrate the International Day for Women in Maritime."
According to the official website, IMO International Day for Women in Maritime is observed on May 18 every year.
The day 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 (gender equality) and support work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but let's be honest - in India, we still have a long way to go. My sister wanted to join the Merchant Navy but faced so many biases during interviews. We need more than hashtags and ceremonies. Policy changes at the ground level matter more.
As someone who spent 15 years at sea, I can say women are absolutely capable of handling maritime roles. The UN and IMO are pushing the right narrative. Diversity makes any industry stronger.
Finally! Growing up in Chennai, I always saw ships at the port but never thought of women working there. Now I'm studying naval architecture at IIT Madras, and it feels amazing to be part of this change. #WomenInMaritimeDay 🚢
Kudos to Professor Momoko Kitada for winning the Gender Equality Award! Japan has been making strides in this area. Hopefully, more Asian countries follow suit. The maritime industry is global, and so should be its workforce.
I appreciate the sentiment, but the article could've highlighted challenges faced by women in Indian maritime specifically - safety concerns onboard, lack of sanitation facilities, and social stigma at home. Real inclusion needs practical solutions, not just awards.
D David E Great We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.