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Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) has reemphasized the claim that it has 41 percent of its top management members of staff as female in the last four years as it celebrated the 2024 International Day for Women in Maritime on Friday, last week, in Lagos.
But the claim is being contested and have been alleged not to be true not to talk of the impact of these women in their positions, a source asserted, alleging that “These same women are not even given the autonomy to operate as they should”.
According to the Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola “With 41% of top management being female, NIMASA recognizes the immense value women bring to our organization and the maritime community as a whole.”
MMS Plus recalls that it had embarked on a male to female employment ratio project recently in the maritime industry in which NIMASA was contacted for information but it failed to provide any.
Associations that participated, last week, in the event with the theme “Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety” included the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), Women in Maritime (WIMA), Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT), and Women in Maritime West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), among others.
The International Day for Women in Maritime is a significant day established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to honor and celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of women across various sectors of the maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, who was represented by the Agency’s Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Jibril Abba, informed the audience, comprising various women’s groups in the maritime industry, that the Agency appreciates the contributions of women to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
“Let me seize this opportunity to recognize and applaud the incredible achievements of women in maritime. From seafarers and ship captains to engineers and port operators, as well as maritime professionals and trailblazers, women have played a pivotal role in shaping the maritime industry and driving innovation and progress. Their dedication, resilience, and expertise have not only enriched our industry but also inspire a future generation of women to pursue careers in maritime”. He said.
“To all the women in maritime: Your contributions are vital, your voices are heard, and your achievements inspire us all. Together, we can harness the nation’s blue economy to build a more sustainable and prosperous maritime industry that benefits us all. Thank you for your dedication, passion, and commitment to a more inclusive maritime community”. Mobereola added
To curb challenges of gender inequality, discrimination, and harassment in the industry, he called on all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and civil society, to collaborate in advancing gender equality and ensuring equal opportunities for women at all levels of the maritime sector.
Earlier in her presentation, Mrs. Olamide Odusanya, the Director of Financial Services at NIMASA, appreciated the IMO for creating an inclusive and supportive environment to recognize women in maritime, in line with the provisions of Sustainable Development Goal 5, which is Gender Equality.
Her words: “It is clear the pivotal role of women in the maritime industry. Closing the gender gap, which is the SDG 5- Gender Equality, has been an internal quest of women folks since the industrial revolution, and one significant achievement has been made; we still have a long way towards achieving relative parity.
A paper presented by Mrs. Gloria Anyasodo on “Emerging Trends: Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety and Opportunities for Women” emphasized that safety transcends gender. Therefore, women must cultivate competence through proper education, expertise, and mutual support to uplift one another.
