Addressing the Voice of Women in Marine and Maritime Industry

Abstract

Marine and maritime industry often have been acknowledged as male-dominated. Women represent nearly 2% of the workforce in the maritime community. Even though, the marine and maritime industry have been evolving throughout history, women's placement in it has not been notorious. Women are seldom neglected from the global industry for being family-committed and/ or being considered as weaker sex. Yet women play major roles in sustainable development hence they should be incorporated in ocean-based policy, governance and decision-making. Lower wages, gender disparity, discrimination on board, and harassment can encourage women to keep themselves away from the ocean. Institutions are trying to provide a fair recognition of women in the ocean-related jobs but still efforts are required. It is vital to reduce gender disparity in marine professions and to promote the involvement on women in ocean related diligences. Consistent efforts are required to seize the moment for acknowledgement, in terms of encouragement and support for closing the gender gap This paper aims to elaborate the concerns of gender equality in marine and maritime industry.