Despite The maritime transport sector is a typical male-dominated industry, with limited participation by women. Globally, women make up approximately 16.8% of the transport workforce. This includes a range of roles across a range of transport modes, including road, rail, air and sea.
In the maritime sector, women are significantly underrepresented, comprising only about 1.2% of the global seafarer workforce and accounting for just 29% of the overall workforce in the general industry. These statistics highlight the ongoing need for initiatives to increase gender diversity and support women’s participation in the transport and maritime sectors, especially seafarers. ESCAP’s report, titled on “Gender and maritime transport in Asia and the Pacific - Survey findings (February 2023)” and related activities including Regional Dialogue on Sustainable Maritime Connectivity and the Asia-Pacific Day for the Ocean (2022) have highlighted follow-up activities to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the maritime sector.
The side event proposed by TD focuses on promoting gender equality and empowering women in the maritime transport sector, which is consistent with SDG 5 (gender equality) and is in line with the national strategies of Member States in the Asia-Pacific region, which plays a pivotal role in the global supply of seafarers.
The event will feature a lineup of dynamic speakers, including industry leaders and gender equality advocates, who will share insights, success stories, and strategies for fostering a more inclusive maritime environment. Participants will engage in interactive discussions and networking sessions designed to break down barriers and identify actionable steps for increasing women's representation in maritime professions.
Key Questions and Objectives
This Guiding Questions:
What are the future demands for the maritime transport workforce and how should they be addressed?
What are the issues and challenges that limit women’s participation and what are the strategies and best practices to overcome them?
How can international cooperation contribute to the empowerment of women in maritime transport sector?
Objectives:
Share national and regional experiences on gender equality in the maritime transport sector
Explore the constraints and opportunities for women’s empowerment in the maritime transport sector
Exchange regional cooperation and partnership to enhance gender equality
Raise awareness of policymakers and other key stakeholders on the importance of gender equality and how they contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, especially SGD 5.
This side event focuses on promoting gender equality and empowering women in the maritime transport sector, aligning with SDG 5. It aims to enhance women's participation and capacity in the maritime transport sector. This event will bring together government representatives, the private sector and the international community. Participants will collaborate to identify actionable steps for increasing women's representation and leadership in the maritime sector. The event aims to drive change by sharing valuable insights, success stories, and strategies that empower women, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and diverse maritime transport industry.