THE maritime sector, long perceived as male-dominated, accounts for roughly 90% of global trade and it offers a diverse range of job opportunities with unlimited career advancement. 

Women currently make up less than 2% of the workforce. Encouragement and support are needed to close the gender gap. 

Let’s look beyond the facile view of women as trophy wives. Given the chance, they have much experience and knowledge to contribute to the maritime industry, especially in promoting sustainable development with an emphasis on policy, governance, and decision-making.  

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Women in Maritime programme and the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) aim to increase the number of women speakers in the shipping industry.  

The launch of the Maritime Speakers Bureau is a joint project under the IMO-WISTA memorandum of understanding on promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the maritime sector.  

Via this platform, women can participate in panels, creating more visibility for them.  

As a member of the IMO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, Malaysia is committed to improving the role of women as major maritime players. 

Recognising this, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has been actively encouraging women to pursue maritime education and consequently, maritime careers. The steps taken by UMT to meet the needs of female talent include improving the quality of academic and training programmes, and providing greater mentorship. 

As a woman in the maritime industry, my advice to all young women out there is to commit to learning and to seek out as many opportunities in this field as possible. – January 23, 2023.  

* Dr Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen reads The Malaysian Insight.  

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.