According to the CICTE-OAS report on the Virtual Roundtable on Women in Maritime and Port Security, gender inequality in the maritime industry has received increased attention since 1989, when the International Maritime Organization (IMO)[1] presented a strategy to increase opportunities for women in the maritime sector. In 2003, international and regional associations took the lead in actively promoting women's participation in the maritime and port sector and made concrete efforts to address the problem of inequality in the sector. These efforts included the creation of the Women's Maritime Association in the Caribbean (WIMAC)[2], as well as the Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) [3], both of which have played a leading role on these issues in Latin America and the Caribbean.[4]

Despite these initiatives, there are still factors that do not make it easy for women to apply for and find employment in the maritime, port and logistics sector, including: lack of access to necessary education and leadership opportunities; lack of labour policies that allow for a reasonable work/life balance (including adequate maternity/family leave policies); conscious and unconscious biased decision-making regarding hiring, training and promotion.

Based on available statistics (outlined by the aforementioned CICTE-OAS report) that suggest that less than 30% of positions in the sector worldwide are held by women, in Latin America and the Caribbean the average appears to be close to 20%. The percentages of women in seafaring positions are even lower (as low as 2%, according to some estimates). Despite these imbalances, women play a key role in many aspects of the maritime and port industry in Latin America and the Caribbean, holding senior positions within ports, such as managers and vice-presidents of port authorities, owners, and operators of maritime-related businesses, as well as pilots and sailors. Particularly in the area of port security, women serve as leaders and managers in maritime positions within key authorities, customs and immigration authorities, and hold key positions that serve to protect port facilities.[5]

The maritime and port sectors have received less attention in terms of addressing gender inequality compared to other areas of the economy. As a result, there is still much to be done to ensure that women are on an equal footing with men and gain access to employment opportunities and career growth. This requires a better understanding of the problem and analysis of the obstacles to progress. Success in this area will depend on the identification of lessons learned and best practices, focusing on cases where women have made progress and have managed to overcome the obstacles and have been able to occupy relevant positions in the sector. On this occasion, CICTE-OAS and SELA, in collaboration with the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), as well as IMO, WIMAC, and WISTA, aim to convene women leaders in the maritime, port and logistics sector for solution-oriented discussions to achieve gender equality and equity in the industry.

On the occasion of the International Day of Women in the Maritime Sector, SELA and CICTE-OAS join forces to review the "Virtual Roundtable of Women in Maritime and Port Security" (2021), in order to evaluate the progress and experiences of those who work in the sector, providing the opportunity to participate and generate spaces for information and training.

[1] International Maritime Organization

[2] Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean https://www.wimacaribbean.com

[3] Women's International Shipping and Trading Association https://wistainternational.com

[4] Virtual Roundtable on Women in Maritime and Port Security

[5] Virtual Roundtable on Women in Maritime and Port Security

To identify and explore the factors that contribute to and perpetuate gender inequality in the maritime and port sector and to explore the causes of gender inequality in maritime and port security, emphasising promotion and other career development policies, procedures, protocols, and other best practices that can help maximise the contribution of women at all levels of maritime domain security.

The Virtual Seminar will be organised by the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE).

Date: 16 and 17 May 2024

Time: 09:30 – 12:00 (EST) both days

Language: Spanish with simultaneous translation into English.

Modality: The Seminar will be held virtually. Registration is free of charge.

Registration link: Register through the following link: https://bit.ly/49BOpxN.

For additional information, please contact:

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

• Coordination of the Economic Recovery Area
  E-mail: recuperación_economica@sela.org

• Alixis Mariño, Analyst of the Economic Recovery Area
  E-mail: amarino@sela.org

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

• Lisbeth Laurie, Maritime and Port Security Programme Manager
  E-mail: llaurie@oas.org

• Panel of experts
• Leadership Forum

• Promote the empowerment and leadership of female personnel in the maritime security industry.
• Raise awareness of the challenges affecting women's participation in the maritime and port sector.
• Share lessons learned, best practices, policies and procedures that promote recruitment and growth opportunities for women in the maritime and port sector.