Removing barriers to women joining the maritime sector, the importance of education and how to increase visibility of women in maritime leadership roles – these were some of the key challenges under the spotlight at a major symposium at IMO Headquarters in London (19 February).
The symposium was part of IMO’s continuing efforts to
maintain momentum in empowering women in the maritime community, and follow the
2019 IMO Assembly resolution to preserve the legacy of the 2019 World MaritimeTheme and work towards a barrier-free environment for women throughout the
maritime sector. It also reflected the 2020 World Maritime theme - sustainable shipping for sustainable planet - by focusing on the fifth
Sustainable Development Goal, gender equality.
Participants from all over the world had the opportunity to
hear and question three specialists on the subject – Professor Dr. Helen
Thanopoulou, Head of Operations Management of Shipping Companies at the
University of the Aegean of Greece; Ms. Sanchez Porras, Director General of the
Mexican Trust for Training and Education of Merchant Marine Personnel; and
Professor Dr. So-hyun Jo of the Korea Maritime and Ocean University.
The event was organised by the Republic of Korea and IMO,
with support from Mexico, Georgia, Canada and South Africa. Click for photos.