Women in Maritime - Training

IMO gender-specific fellowships

Women IMO/WMU/WISTA Women's Leadership and Empowerment Training course  

Young women in the maritime industry often encounter barriers to advancing into leadership roles. These challenges stem from limited access to smaller-scale leadership opportunities, a lack of role models within their organizations, and restricted access to professional networks, training, and other resources. To address this challenge, IMO, in collaboration with WISTA International, has tasked WMU with the development of a women’s leadership and empowerment training course focussing on high level skills. The course will take place for the first time in September 2025, and a call for fellowship nominations will be opened in due course.

AtoN managers courses, delivered in partnership with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), IALA WWA, France

IMO's gender programme has also supported the participation of female mariners at the level 1 AtoN managers courses delivered by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). 

Supporting women at IMO's global maritime training institutions 

World Maritime University (WMU) 

The World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden is a postgraduate maritime university established under the auspices of IMO in 1983. WMU is committed to the advancement of women in the maritime sector. In 2018, the Award for the 1000th female graduate was made to Ms. Naandem Rita Njin from Nigeria. By 2018, 1,029 females had graduated from the University, out of a total 4,919 graduates. The number of female graduates has increased steadily over the years - from four in 1985 to 79 in 2018. 

The WMU Women's Association (WMUWA) aims to establish a network of past, current and prospective female students by expanding international networks with other organizations worldwide while planning for future growth. Through this Association, IMO funds one female to attend WMU each year. Website: http://wmuwa.wmu.se/ 

IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) 

The IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), in Valletta, Malta, was founded by IMO in 1988. IMLI trains experts in international maritime law. IMLI was the first UN body to include in its Statute a requirement that 50% of its places be reserved for women. 

Read more about IMO's global maritime training institutions here: http://www.imo.org/en/About/Pages/WMUandIMLI.aspx