Efforts to advance gender-responsive maritime policies across Asia gained momentum this week as maritime professionals and women leaders worked together in Singapore (28 to 30 September ) to strengthen advocacy skills, develop practical reform strategies and build a shared vision for more inclusive maritime institutions.
Organized under IMO's Women in Maritime Programme, the Regional Workshop on Gender-Responsive Policy and Legislative Design brought together members of the Women in Maritime Association, Asia (WIMA Asia) and maritime stakeholders from across the region. Participants gained practical tools to advocate for gender-responsive policies and legislation, integrate gender perspectives into maritime governance and institutional practices, and strengthen inclusive leadership and change management skills.
Workshops like this are helping to turn commitments on gender equality into tangible action by equipping maritime professionals with the knowledge, networks and skills needed to influence policy and institutional change. Through interactive exercises, case studies and group work, participants explored structural gender inequalities and institutional barriers while strengthening skills in gender mainstreaming, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and leadership.
A key focus was translating analysis into action. Participants examined how power and decision-making shape institutional change, explored stakeholder engagement approaches and strengthened practical advocacy skills. The workshop culminated in the development of a regional advocacy action plan, identifying priorities, stakeholders, actions and indicators to advance gender-responsive policy and institutional reform across Asian Member States.
The activity supports implementation of the Global Strategy for the IMO Women in Maritime Associations 2024-2029, particularly its objective of helping Member States develop policies and legislation that enhance the inclusion of women in the maritime sector at all levels and across all fields.
The workshop was jointly financed by the IMO Women in Maritime Programme and the Government of Singapore through the Singapore Cooperation Programme, and organized in collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and WIMA Asia.
The workshop was followed by the WIMA Asia Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 30 September. Members discussed the Association's activities, the establishment of national chapters and its 2026-2027 workplan, helping to carry forward the priorities and momentum generated during the workshop.
WIMA Asia is part of IMO's global network of regional Women in Maritime Associations, established to promote the professional development, leadership and inclusion of women in the maritime sector. Strengthening regional networks such as WIMA Asia remains a key element of IMO's efforts to support more diverse, inclusive and sustainable maritime sectors worldwide.
