II Virtual Seminar on women in maritime and port security
Information

Date Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 03 and 04 June 2025
Modality Virtual
Location Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Background

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) , although there is evidence of a gender balance in the population distribution, the labour market reflects that men are 50 % more likely to be employed than women, which in contrast does not vary in populations where the proportion of women is higher than that of men.

In addition, the report of the 2021 Virtual Dialogue Table of Women in Maritime and Port Security (2021), organised by the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism of the Organisation of American States (CICTE-OAS)[1] indicates that women occupy 30% of positions in the maritime sector globally, a percentage that is reduced in the Latin American and Caribbean region, where it is around 20%. Even so, there is a greater reduction in the participation of women in maritime positions, with representations as low as 2%.

Unlike other economic sectors where gender equality has been widely discussed, the maritime and port sector still lags behind in terms of attention and action. Significant challenges remain to ensure that women have equal access to employment and career development opportunities.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO)3 has implemented strategies to increase women’s participation in the maritime sector. At the regional level, initiatives such as Women in Maritime Associations of the Caribbean (WIMAC)4, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA)5, and the Network of Women Maritime Authorities of Latin America (MAMLa Network)6 have been instrumental in promoting gender equity. Despite these efforts, women’s representation in the region remains low, especially in operational and leadership roles.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, women have managed to position themselves as key figures within the maritime and port ecosystem, assuming leadership roles in different areas. Their participation in strategic port security tasks is equally outstanding, as they are responsible for border control, customs and migration agencies, where they ensure the protection of the sector’s critical infrastructure. However, there are still structural barriers that limit a wider insertion in this field. Among the main challenges are gaps in access to technical training and in the development of leadership skills, as well as a lack of policies to facilitate work-life balance. The first Seminar on Women in Maritime and Port Security, held in May 2024, identified challenges and opportunities, establishing a platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices.

In commemoration of the Inter-American Day against Terrorism and as a follow-up to the reflections promoted by the International Day of Women in the Maritime Sector, CICTE-OAS, the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°) and SELA have decided to resume the contributions of the Virtual Dialogue Table of Women in Maritime and Port Security (2021). In general, this initiative aims to continue the progress achieved since then, to make visible the experiences of women active in the maritime and port sector, and to promote meeting spaces that foster the exchange of knowledge, professional training and the strengthening of networks.

1 International Monetary Fund (IMF) (2024). Global Employment Gender Gaps. In https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/067/2024/004/article-A001-en.xml

2 Organisation of American States (OAS). Mesa de Diálogo Virtual de Mujeres en Protección Marítima y Portuaria

3 International Maritime Organisation (IMO). https://www.imo.org/es

4 Women in Maritime Association (WIMA), Caribbean. https://www.wimacaribbean.com

5 Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International). https://wistainternational.com

6 Network of Women Maritime Authorities of Latin America (MAMLa Network). https://www.redmamla.org/

Objectives

This seminar aims to: i) reaffirm the regional commitment to gender equity in the maritime and port sector, promoting women’s leadership, strategic capacity building and cooperation; ii) encourage the training and consolidation of women’s networks in the maritime and port industry, through the exchange of experiences, practical tools and strategies to transform the professional and operational environment; iii) and highlight best practices that can help maximise the contribution of women to the sector.

Event information

The seminar will be hosted by the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°).

Date: 03 and 04 June 2025
Time: 09:30 – 12:00 (Eastern Standard Time/EST) both days
Languages: Spanish with simultaneous translation into English
Modality: virtual
Cost: free of charge
Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RJGhP3g8RRmk49IT9JHytw

Contacts

For additional information please contact:

At the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA):

 

At the Organisation of American States (OAS) / Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE):

 

At the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°):

  • Lisbeth Laurie, Lisbeth Laurie, Chair of the Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security: llaurie@thecope.org
Structure

  • Panel of experts
  • Leadership forum
Expected results

  • Creation of spaces for exchange among leaders, experts and multilateral organisations.
  • Visibilisation of female leaders and promotion of the development of professional careers.
  • Contribution to the strengthening of leadership and negotiation skills in the maritime port context, with special reference to maritime security.
  • Dissemination and adoption by the participants of lessons learned, as well as the identification and survey of best practices, policies and procedures that promote the recruitment and growth opportunities for women in the maritime port sector.
Agenda

Day 1: Tuesday 03 June 2025

10:00-10:30

WELCOMING REMARKS 

  • Ambassador Clarems Endara, Permanent Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA)
  • Guillermo Moncayo, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (OAS/CICTE).
  • Hannah Dawicki, Director of Project Management of the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°)

10:30-11:00

SESSION I: INSPIRING VOICES: LEADERS IN THE MARITIME SECTOR 

Moderator: Carol Jiménez, Project Officer of OAS/CICTE 

This session provides a valuable opportunity to hear the voices of outstanding women who are making their mark in the maritime, port and logistics sector. Moderated by CICTE-OAS, experts with outstanding track records will share their experiences, challenges overcome and professional achievements, serving as a source of inspiration and motivation for new generations.

  • Carolina Gómez, Admiral of the Colombian Navy.
  • Margarita Miranda, Captain of the Navy, Director of Human Resources of the Colombian Navy.
  • Draiza Medina Álvarez, Communications Officer, PR Ports. WISTA Partner, Honorary Member of Red MAMLa.

 

Interactive Q&A session: 10 minutes

 

The session will include an interactive Q&A session that will allow participants to engage directly with these women leaders, learn more about their stories and receive practical advice on how to advance their careers in the maritime field.

11:00-11:15

Break

11:15-12:00

SESSION II: WOMEN AT THE HELM: KEY CHALLENGES OF THE MARITIME SECTOR IN THE REGION

Moderator: Alixis Mariño, Economic Recovery Analyst

The second session offers a strategic look at the main challenges currently facing the maritime sector in the region. Moderated by SELA, this session brings together prominent women leaders who will share their experiences and visions on key issues:

  • Lisbeth Laurie, Chair of the Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security (COPE°).
  • Patricia Oliden, Port Commission of Peru.
  • Stella Aber, Project Manager of The Seafarers’ Charity.

 

Interactive Q&A session: 15 minutes

 

Participation in this session will give attendees a better understanding of the current challenges in the sector and will allow them to learn about cutting-edge initiatives led by women who are making a difference in the maritime field.

 

*Día 2: miércoles 04 de junio de 2025*

09:30-11:00

 

SESSION III: PERSONAL PROJECTION: STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS (Presentations by female experts: 30 minutes)

Moderator:Daysi Vargas, Project Officer of OAS/CICTE

This session offers fundamental tools for personal and professional growth, presented by female experts who are leaders in their respective fields. Under the moderation of COPE°, three essential pillars for the development of soft skills applicable to any work or leadership environment will be addressed:

The 4 Gender Lenses

  • María Liliana Mor, Consultant in Resource Mobilisation, Strategic Partnerships and Social Impact. She will highlight the importance of the gender debate. The 4 Gender Lenses: driving force for women’s empowerment in the maritime sector.

 

Conflict management and mediation culture

  • Mariela Sánchez Cardona, Research Professor, Co-founder of the Sentire Corporation and the Red Retos Territoriales para la Paz (Territorial Challenges for Peace Network). She will focus on how to effectively resolve disagreements and build consensus, applicable at both institutional and interpersonal levels.

Attending this session will allow participants to grow as more conscious, inclusive leaders, prepared to face complex challenges with practical and up-to-date tools.

Investing in your personal growth is the first step to leading with impact.

11:00-11:15 Break

11:15-12:00

SESSION IV: REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION: A PATHWAY TO SHARED SUCCESS (Presentations by female experts: 10 min.)

Moderator: Lisbeth Laurie, Chair of the Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security (COPE°).

  • Macarena Cladera, Head of Registry and Merchant Marine Directorate of National Naval Prefecture of Uruguay, President of Red MAMLa.
  • Maria Laura Salazar, Representative of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO).
  • Hilary Anderson, Senior Gender Specialist at the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) of the Organisation of American States (OAS)

 

Interactive Q&A session: 10 minutes

 

To continue the call for attention to opportunities for women in the maritime industry, this session will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about international and regional developments, policies and procedures that support the growth of women in the maritime and port sector.

12:00-12:15

CLOSING REMARKS

  • Gustavo Herrera, Coordinator of Social Development of the Permanent Secretariat of SELA
  • Hannah Dawicki, Director of Project Management of the Center for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE°)
  • Paola Fernandez, Chief of Section, Coordinated Border Management, OAS

Share
Themes