International Day for Women in Maritime - 18 May 2023

18 May 2023 marked the second International Day for Women in Maritime 

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is proud to support and highlight the role of women in maritime on the International Day for Women in Maritime (IDWiM). 

The theme for 2023 was ‘Mobilizing networks for gender equality’ - highlighting the importance of leveraging networks of people and organisations when overcoming barriers for women’s participation in the maritime industry and developing pathways and opportunities for career progression.

Each year, IDWiM celebrates women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector and raise the profile of women in maritime. It ensures we make progress each year to support female participation in the industry.

International day for women in maritime 2022

To thrive, the maritime community must create opportunities for a broader and more diverse workforce. This is essential to increase productivity, support innovation and to address pressures such as sustainability.

It’s no secret that the global maritime sector faces increasing pressure. An ageing workforce, greater ethical accountability, climate change and a pandemic are only some of the existing challenges. Women will have a vital role to play in the growth of the maritime industry and the removal of barriers for women’s employment and narrowing of the gender equality gap will benefit the sector considerably.

Equality for women means progress for all. 

AMSA encourages progress on gender equity within AMSA and in the wider maritime industry. Supporting global efforts to encourage more women into the maritime industry remains a key priority for AMSA.  

Learn more about AMSA’s initiatives to beat inequality. 

Watch the event recording

To celebrate IDWiM 2023 and to utilise the theme of ‘Mobilising networks for gender equality’, AMSA, with Women in Seafaring and Transport Association (WISTA), the Nautical Institute of South East Australia (the Nautical Institute), and the Port of Newcastle, hosted a panel event in Newcastle. Featuring speakers from a range of maritime industries and chaired by WISTA Australia president Monika Lemajic, the event was viewed by over 300 people. It was a great opportunity for women and gender allies to come together to discuss positive solutions to increasing the participation of women in the maritime sector. 

You can view a recording of the event on our YouTube channel. 

Interviews: What this day means

AMSA stakeholders and maritime students talk about what IDWiM means to them the importance of gender equality.

Women in Maritime Programme
Mariana Noceti

Mariana Noceti, Principal Programme Assistant, Women in Maritime Programme, Sub-Division for Programme Management and Coordination, Technical Cooperation Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO) shares with AMSA the importance of gender equality.

"teams that have men and women have greater innovation"

Maritime Training Adviser
Ore Toua

Maritime Training Adviser - Women In Maritime Focal Point at The Pacific Community (SPC), Ore Toua spoke to AMSA about what International Day for Women in Maritime means to her and diversity in the maritime sector.

"I have the platform here to make a concerted influence"
PacWIMA chairperson
Dinah Inape-Omenefa

Dinah Inape-Omenefa is a PacWIMA chairperson and spoke to AMSA recently about how the IMO International Day of Women in Maritime highlights the contribution of women to the whole maritime economy and trade.

"[this day] means more visibility of women"

Principal Strategic Lead - Pacific Women
Mereseni Rakuita

Mereseni Rakuita, The Pacific Community’s (SPC) Principal Strategic Lead–Pacific Women spoke with AMSA at the PacWIMA conference about what International Women in Maritime Day means to her. Merseni provides strategic oversight on SPC’s gender program and is an advocate for the empowerment of women and girls.

"[this day] has elevated the advocacy work around women leading within the sector"
WISTA President
Monika Lemajic

Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) president Monika Lemajic spoke to AMSA recently at the PacWIMA Conference about what IDWiM means to her and gender equality.

"we don't just have a seat at the table, we have a voice, and that's super important for us to get to gender equality"

Maritime and ocean engineering, Global logistics and maritime management
Maritime students

Hear from Maritime students, Tenisha Jones, Danielle Flower, Samantha Hoestra, Cameron Skeggs and Lucy Barr.

"a day when we can celebrate women in the industry"