Championing women power in the maritime industry
THE mid-1980s was a time when the Philippines’ sociopolitical landscape was in turmoil, leaving shipping investors fleeing the country for a safer business environment in the West. It was also when male domination in the maritime industry was at its peak.
Unseen by the crowd, however, was a small group of women starting to make their niche in the industry. Among them was a young banker, Josephine Roldan.
Roldan was mentored by Capt. Kenneth McKenzie, then the general manager of Wallem Maritime and the husband of her aunt, Janet. Under his tutelage, the young “Jo” learned the ropes of the industry for the next 12 years and worked with Wallem, Singa Shipmanagement and
Smedvig Tankships. The rest, as they say, is history.
For the past four decades, Roldan steered the helm of various shipping companies, provided opportunities to Filipino seafarers and championed women in the local maritime industry.
“It would be important to empower them as gender equality is often considered to be vital in achieving a sustainable future. They should be given equal opportunities and better working conditions and benefits,” she said.
Roldan said that this is one of the best things she enjoys as an executive — providing opportunities, especially to the marginalized sector of the industry.
“I was able to help many new graduates get a job in our vessels without any fees collected. God never forgets what we do for others,” she said.
Roldan also observed that being a woman in a male-centric industry comes with a great deal of social, mental and physical challenges.
Depression and anxiety were already widely felt by “she-farers” decades before mental health was even a thing.
“Another challenge was physical pain, especially during periods when women would normally feel like sleeping,” Roldan said, explaining that the throbbing and aching abdominal cramps are just one of the many challenges a woman seafarer has to endure while on a ship.
As the president of Crewcare Inc. for the past 17 years, Roldan made sure that her women crew and shore staff were not alone in facing such difficulties.
“Our company helped our women seafarers by sending them in training and other wellness programs,” she said.