Day of the Seafarer 2019

This year, once again, the annual Day of the Seafarer (DotS) will be celebrated on 25 June.

2019 campaign - I Am On Board with gender equality

Many thanks to all campaign participants, once again we reached millions of people around the world and many of which were seafarers advocating for gender equality at sea. We hope this campaign brought about discussions and initiatives that will continue to make the industry a better place and a more gender balanced workplace.

Throughout 2019 there is a strong emphasis in the maritime world on the importance and value of women within the professional ranks.

Much of this is being driven by the World Maritime Day theme (Empowering Women in the Maritime Community). It is already clear that this theme has a very strong and far-reaching resonance.

It provides an opportunity to highlight opportunities for women (as well as the contributions they are already making) in a wide range of maritime careers and professions, but the focus or our campaign for 2019 was firmly on one aspect of that community – seafarers.

New posters - Click and download

Social media

As in previous years, the campaign was centred on social media. 

The 2019 campaign hashtag is: #IAmOnBoard 

"# I Am On Board" can be used by anyone engaging in the campaign, male or female, to show their solidarity for gender equality in seafaring. 

We created downloadable cards bearing the hashtag, the SDG 5 icon and the Day of the Seafarer logo. We invited all campaign supporters to take selfies or other photographs which include the card and to post them on social media with the hashtag.

As in previous years, the campaign was centred on social media. All IMO's social media platforms were featured. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounted for most activity.

Virtual Wall 

Make one change

We invited campaign participants to think about what they would do if they were able to make just one change to achieve gender equality in seafaring. Our interactive on-line space captured almost 1000 entries.

Click here or on the image to reach the platform.