Recognizing and protecting women’s role in maritime
IN celebration of National Women’s Month, The Manila Times’ Maritime section recognizes and examines the importance of collaboration to achieve gender equity in a maledominated maritime sector.
This year’s National Women’s Month capitalizes on the recurring theme: “WE for gender equality and inclusive society.” The theme has been introduced in 2023 with a commitment to close gender gaps in the country.
Based on the 2023 Global Gender Gap Index report by the World Economic Forum, the Philippines maintains its status as the leading Asian country in narrowing the gender gap. It also secures the 16th position out of 146 countries globally.
However, research by the National Maritime Polytechnic’s Maritime Research and Development Division shows that Filipino women remain underrepresented in the seafaring sector with their participation primarily seen within the steward or catering department of ships. The study reveals that only 42 percent or 402 out of 953 Filipino seafarers are women.
With the apparent disparity in the number of Filipina sea-based workers, some of the industry’s top women leaders comment on their presence, protection and accomplishments in the global shipping arena.
This includes Karen Avelino, executive director for business development of the Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc. and current president of the Philippine Association of Maritime Training Centers Inc.; Brenda Pimentel, former regional coordinator of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in East Asia; Nannette Villamor-Dinopol, Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) deputy administrator for Operations; Mary Ann Pastrana, chairman of the Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corp., the shipping company that owns and operates Fastcat; and Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, president of the Women in Maritime Association Asia.
Women’s global impact
These women have been asked about women in maritime, starting off with a question on how their presence makes an impact in the global shipping industry.
Pastrana answers: “Women’s presence has brought diverse perspectives and leadership styles that contribute to innovative solutions and enhanced decision-making processes. The industry has seen a gradual increase in the participation of women, particularly in administrative, management and regulatory roles. However, women still represent a small fraction of the workforce, especially in seafaring roles, where they make up less than 2 percent globally according to the [IMO]. While there has been reasonable growth, it’s clear that the shipping industry can benefit from further incorporating women into its ranks, emphasizing the need for continued efforts [toward] gender equality and inclusivity.”
Dinopol says: “The presence of women leads to greater diversity, improved performance and a more inclusive and welcoming work environment. In 2019, women represented only 1.2 percent of the global seafarer workforce as per Bimco (Baltic and International Maritime Council) and ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) 2021 Seafarer Workforce Report. This, however, represents a positive trend in gender balance with the report, estimating 24,059 women serving as seafarers, which is a 45.8 percent increase compared with the 2015 report.”
Dinopol adds: “Moreover, women across the maritime industry are, likewise, observed to be growing, taking into account those who are performing flag state, port state and coastal state functions; those who are in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry as well as those who are in maritime education and training. Their presence in leadership positions within the shipping industry has provided aspiring female professionals with role models and mentors to look up to. This has helped to inspire and empower more women to pursue careers in the industry.”
Meanwhile, Pimentel states: “Women’s presence in the shipping industry has improved if one is to consider how in recent years active engagement of women in the maritime industry has been projected.
It is rare these days to see international fora, dialogues on the subject of shipping without at least one woman participating either as resource speaker, moderator or even convenor.”
Representation of women in maritime
On the topic of women’s representation in the Philippine maritime industry, Avelino says it “may still have room for improvement,” adding that “efforts can be made to further promote gender diversity and inclusivity in this traditionally maledominated field.”
Pastrana says: “The Philippines has seen a gradual improvement in the representation of women. There are educational and governmental initiatives encouraging more women to pursue careers in maritime fields. However, similar to global trends, women in the Philippines are underrepresented in seafaring positions and often face challenges in advancing to higher ranks within maritime professions. Ensuring that women have equal opportunities and are well-represented in all facets of the maritime sector remains a work in progress.”
Dinopol reflects: “The industry is traditionally male-dominated with women comprising a very small percentage of the workforce. However, efforts are being made to increase the representation of women in the maritime sector in the Philippines. As what those from generation Z would say, ‘Malayo pa, pero malayo na (We’ve still a long way to go, but we’ve already come a long way).’ Cultural and societal norms, as well as the physical demands of the job, continue to pose challenges for women seeking to enter and advance in the industry.”
On the other hand, Jimenez-San Pedro states: “Women are well represented in the traditional sectors of maritime [such as] maritime education and training, and maritime administration. Most of the positions occupied are administrative and finance in nature. Meanwhile, women in seafaring, naval architecture, marine pilotage, ports, shipbuilding or repair, welding and surveying are underrepresented.”
Protecting women’s rights and equality in shipping
To further protect women in the shipping industry, Dinopol says: “Based on various studies, fora and conferences, the following needs protection for women: equal opportunities, a safe working environment, health and well-being, training and development, representation, awareness and advocacy.”
Meanwhile, Pimentel elaborates: “Shipping remains to be seen as a man’s world, which creates a sense of inadequacy on the part of women. In contemplating [pursuing] a maritime career, especially in the seafaring sector or in naval architecture, women would hesitate, possibly for reasons relating to their physical, mental and emotional makeup and coping facility in dealing with men at the workplace. The reluctance of women to go into maritime should be addressed if the gender gap is to be reduced.”
Avelino adds: “There is a need for enhanced measures to prevent discrimination and harassment and ensure equal opportunities for women. Training programs, policies and support systems can be implemented to create a more inclusive and safe working environment for women.”
Women’s achievements in maritime groups
Avelino shares that in the last decade, women have achieved significant milestones in the maritime sector, including breaking gender barriers, holding leadership positions and advocating for gender equality in the industry. She says these contributions have paved the way for more opportunities for women in the maritime sector.
Dinopol asserts, “Among many others, women have made strides in increasing their representation in traditionally male-dominated roles within the maritime industry such as ship captains, engineers and senior management positions. They have also been at the forefront of innovation and technology advancements in the maritime industry, driving research, development and implementation of new technologies to enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability.”
Jimenez-San Pedro says, “Wimaphil, since 2007, has organized six chapters of women in different sectors of the maritime industry to include those in maritime agencies such as Marina, PPA (Philippine Ports Authority), PCG (Philippine Coast Guard), PNP (Philippine National Police)Maritime Group and BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources), among others. In sum, Wimaphil has contributed to the development of women in maritime through our capacity building, promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, partnership development, communications and visibility, and sustainability programs.
Government support needed to improve gender equality
On the question of equality, Pimentel responds: “The best minds that can address the many challenges confronting the country have no gender. Therefore, the government and industry must create an environment that will harness Filipino women’s capacity to the fullest. Make the family, schools and learning institutions, the workplace and the community do away with stereotyping of women.”
Pastrana says the government can extend its support by “creating spaces, where women’s voices are heard, their contributions valued and their potential fully realized.”
Meanwhile, Jimenez-San Pedro suggests: “The government should appoint more women in higher positions of decision-making. This way, policies and programs can be developed favorable to women and ensure that the gender wage gap is immediately addressed. CHEd (Commission on Higher Education) and Marina should also develop more maritime programs outside the traditional seafaring to open more opportunities for women.”