The maritime sector has made strides in gender diversity, with over 176,000 women employed globally, according to the 2024 IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey. However, women only represent 19% of the workforce and a mere 1% at sea, indicating that true inclusion remains aspirational. A crucial factor often overlooked is how women’s health impacts their participation and performance in maritime careers. Physiological transitions such as menstruation and menopause significantly affect women’s well-being, yet workplace structures still largely cater to male models.
The silence surrounding women’s health has repercussions for individual well-being and broader organizational performance. As Capt. Jaquelyn Burton of WISTA Norway notes, addressing women’s health is essential for fostering a diverse and effective workforce. The IMO-WISTA report highlights growth in areas like ESG, but traditional sectors like bunkering and legal services see declining female participation due to inflexible systems and outdated expectations.
Supporting women’s health is now a business and regulatory imperative. In the UK, one in ten women leave work due to menopause, costing the economy over £2 billion annually. Proposed mandatory menopause action plans and evolving ISO standards emphasize the need for gender-responsive workplace practices. Companies that neglect this issue risk falling behind.
To drive change, the maritime industry must normalize discussions about women’s health, create supportive environments, and implement flexible policies. As Sanjam Sahi Gupta of Maritime SheEO points out, addressing women’s health is not a distraction but a prerequisite for performance. Upcoming discussions at Nor-Shipping aim to transform awareness into actionable strategies, reinforcing that women’s health is fundamentally a business and leadership issue.
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