The United Nations on Monday underscored the increasing contribution of women in the global shipping and maritime industry, calling for greater inclusion, visibility, and gender equality across the sector on the occasion of the International Day for Women in Maritime.
In a message shared on X, the UN stated that women are an integral part of the maritime workforce and emphasized that the annual observance serves as an opportunity to celebrate their contributions to the maritime community.
Observed every year on May 18, the International Day for Women in Maritime aims to promote the recruitment, retention, and sustained participation of women in the maritime industry while supporting gender equality initiatives across the sector.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced a commemorative event titled “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence”, aligned with this year’s broader World Maritime theme.
The event, scheduled to take place at the IMO headquarters in London and livestreamed globally, will bring together policymakers, maritime leaders, and industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving gender balance and inclusion in maritime professions.
As part of the programme, the IMO will host the Gender Equality Award Ceremony, where Professor Momoko Kitada will receive the IMO Gender Equality Award 2026 following her nomination by Japan.
The IMO also encouraged women across the maritime industry to participate in the global campaign by sharing their experiences and achievements on social media using the hashtag #WomenInMaritimeDay.
“Whether you are working on board, in the office, or at the policy level, your contribution matters. Let’s make the industry visible, diverse, and inclusive,” the organisation said.
According to the IMO, the International Day for Women in Maritime reinforces its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality and supports ongoing efforts to address gender imbalance within the maritime sector.