Encouraging women to advocate for domestic ferry safety was the central theme of a regional conference held in Manila, Philippines this week. (21-25 September). Participants from Asian countries gained knowledge and looked at how to step up measures to promote safety consciousness among the players and stakeholders in domestic ferry operations. The conference was organized by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Women in Maritime Philippines Association (WIMAPHIL), in collaboration with IMO and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea.
As part of the celebrations of World Maritime Day, under the theme “Maritime education and training”, 34 female cadets from three maritime training schools in the Philippines attended the opening day of the conference. The cadets enjoyed an interactive session where they were given the opportunity to ask a panel of experts questions on topics such as mentorship, life onboard ship and future career opportunities in the maritime world.