Breakfast Discussion Highlights: Female Maritime Leadership Advancements
In the maritime industry, the call for change is growing louder. The full speaker line-up for an upcoming discussion will be announced soon, aiming to explore steps taken, lessons learned, and the confidence required to push boundaries and promote gender equality.
Recent data from the Women in Maritime survey 2024 paints a stark picture of the sector's ongoing struggle with diversity and inclusion. The survey, involving 88 member states and 608 private organisations, reveals that women make up only 16% of the maritime workforce overall—a decline from 26% in 2021 for member states and from 29% to 16% in the private sector. The situation is most acute at sea, where women represent barely 1% of the 211,750 mariners employed by respondents.
This underscores the continuing skills shortage compounded by a lack of gender diversity, emphasizing the need for focused human capital strategies and more inclusive environments in shipping. The data highlights the urgent need for more data-driven, strategic approaches to drive systemic change in diversity and inclusion.
The broader maritime community has also emphasized the importance of measuring and understanding the experiences of women to foster meaningful change. Initiatives like the "She Can Sail the Seas" and leadership events underline ongoing efforts to provide pathways and greater inclusion, though current data suggest improvements remain limited and incremental.
The focus on diversity has grown in recent years, and this upcoming discussion promises to be a significant step in driving change. Confirmed speakers from leading ship owners will share their insights and experiences, offering valuable perspectives on the steps taken, lessons learned, and the confidence required to push boundaries and create a more inclusive maritime industry.
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- To comprehend the various dimensions of change required, the maritime sector could greatly benefit from integrating aspects of science, health-and-wellness, and women's health into their human capital strategies, in an attempt to foster a more diverse and inclusive work environment.
- Given the current financial implications of excluding half the population from the maritime workforce, it is crucial to invest in diversity-and-inclusion initiatives, ensuring a diverse and sustainable future for the business sector.
- To encourage gender equality in industries beyond maritime, it is essential to share best practices, lessons learned, and insights, as leading financiers and business leaders discuss their experiences at this upcoming event, driving change and promoting diversity-and-inclusion.
