NMSA in partnership with PNG Women in Maritime Association Celebrating Day for Women in Maritime - Papua New Guinea National Maritime Safety Authority
The Day for Women in Maritime, D4WIM 2020 is celebrated throughout the Pacific region in recognition of women participation in the maritime industry.
It is an avenue to provide visibility for women participation in the industry and know that there are career prospects in the maritime world. It is an initiative of the Pacific Women in Maritime Association (PacWIMA) and is held annually on the 18 May through the support of International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
This year, the theme for the D4WIM is, “Sustainable workforce promoting equal opportunity for Pacific Women In Maritime” with the slogan, “Our Day, Your Day, Day for Women in Maritime”.
It is continuing the momentum of the 2019 IMO World Maritime theme on Empowering Women in the Maritime Community.
Since the introduction of the D4WIM in 2019, the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) has been a strong supporter of the D4WIM celebrations in PNG. NMSA recognises women participation and empowerment in the maritime work place and it supports activities that promote career development opportunities for girls and women who want to pursue a career in the industry. This is in line with the recently launched Regional Strategy for Pacific Women in Maritime in September 2019 during the Pacific Region Transport and Mining Ministers conference in Samoa, under the three (3) pillars Recognition, Visibility, and Capacity Building.
NMSA currently hosts the Secretariats for Papua New Guinea Women in Maritime Association, PNGWIMA and PacWIMA. This is a commitment made through the partnership with Pacific Community (SPC) and IMO on Gender Equality. The initiative is the first of its kind in the Pacific, and the region is been challenged to raise the bar in support of Gender Equality through similar support arrangements. NMSA also is an equal opportunity employer.
In PNG, the PNG WIMA has been involved in much needed awareness activities since its inception in 2007. Over the years, recognition of women in maritime and awareness of opportunities for career paths for women has been an ongoing activity however, the results are yet to improve. According to recent NMSA Seafarers statistics, out of 5,500 PNG seafarers, only 1.4% are female. Due to the increase levels of awareness at different avenues endorsed by the Association, there has been some breakthrough. One of the major ones is the scholarship opportunities for female trainees at the Maritime College in Madang, in which 10 young women are currently undergoing maritime training, amidst other initiatives and success stories.
To commemorate the Day for Women in Maritime, D4WIM 2020, NMSA has released a short video as requested by IMO and SPC in order to continue the awareness of the contributions of women in the maritime sector both in country and abroad.
NMSA encourages all stakeholders in the maritime industry, both private and public sectors to work together to promote gender equality and to empower women & girls in the maritime community in Papua New Guinea.
Thank you and on behalf of NMSA, Happy Day for Women in Maritime 2020.