Female representation in the maritime industry remains critically low, with women making up only a small percentage of the seagoing workforce. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO, emphasized the need for renewed commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the sector. Recent data highlights that while the Caribbean and Pacific regions show higher female participation—over 20% in both public and private sectors—overall representation remains inadequate.
In North America, women account for just over 18% of the maritime workforce, with 68,133 female employees. Other regions, including Latin America and Asia, report similar trends, with women comprising 18% and 16% of their respective workforces. Despite some sectors, like port operations and ship management, showing increased female representation, overall numbers have declined since 2021, with women now constituting only 16% of the total maritime workforce.
Barriers such as gender stereotyping and workplace safety concerns continue to limit opportunities for women. Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International, noted the importance of attracting and retaining women in the industry. Currently, women seafarers represent just 1% of active personnel, predominantly from countries like the Philippines and Greece. To drive meaningful change, stakeholders must collaborate to improve gender diversity and create a more inclusive maritime environment.
