Women in Maritime day: networks for gender equality

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said: "Women are working in all facets of the maritime sector across the globe, on shore and at sea to support the transition to a decarbonized, digitalized and more sustainable future for the industry. There is still a significant gender imbalance in maritime. Times are changing - but we need to accelerate that change. The benefits for the whole sector of improved diversity in the workforce is evident."

He said: "The theme for this year highlights the importance of collaboration and networking in achieving gender equality in the maritime sector. The IMO-established Women in Maritime Associations are one example of such networks. They are paving the way in supporting women in maritime across the globe - and encouraging the next generation into the maritime industry."

"This is the second year we are marking 18 May as a key day in our calendar to celebrate women in the industry and to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector…Let us once again use this opportunity to celebrate the many women who are contributing to the future of maritime: navigators, engineers, surveyors, CEOs, managers, representatives of government and industry, those chairing IMO meetings, and women in every role across the industry." (Full message here.)

IMO is marking the occasion with a two-day conference at IMO Headquarters in London, United Kingdom, the release of a video -

Women in maritime can....  and a social media campaign. 

IDWIM logo

The logo (which can be

downloaded here) artistically combines the female gender symbol and maritime anchor symbol.    

Conference

On social media, IMO invites women in maritime and allies to use the hashtag #WomenInMaritimeDay and tag IMOHQ on Twitter; LinkedIn; Instagram; and Facebook. 

IMO invites women in maritime to share how the power of networking has helped them in their career. 

A series of digital cards are

available here.

IMO Gender Equality Award 

Nominations are being invited for the 2024 IMO Gender Equality Award. 

Please download:  Circular Letter No.4699 - "2024 IMO Gender Equality Award"

Supporting SDG 5 on gender equality

IMO is working to address the current gender imbalance in maritime and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. IMO has a longstanding

Women in Maritime programme. In 2019, the World Maritime theme was "Empowering women in the maritime community", with numerous activities promoting gender equality in maritime. At the end of 2019, IMO Member States at the IMO Assembly adopted a

resolution pledging to ensure the legacy of 2019 would continue. 

In 2021, the IMO Assembly

adopted a resolution proclaiming an International Day for Women in Maritime on 18 May each 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 and raise the profile of women in maritime.