IWD 2022: Abuja MoU  Laments Shortage Of Women Participation In Shipping Industry

The Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control,has lamented that there is a shortage of women in the shipping industry, which has a significant effect on the economy.

 

Secretary-General of the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control, Captain Sunday Umoren  who made  this known on Tuesday at the International Women’s Day 2022 and commemorated by the Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Nigeria Chapter,Abuja, also canvassed for

women in Nigeria to harness emerging opportunities in the maritime sector such as investing in ocean freight, warehousing, ocean shipping logistics, trucking, sales, freight forwarding, air freight, rail and terminals.

 

 

 

The Secretary General while speaking at the event  tagged ‘Gender Equality Today for Sustainable Tomorrow’ #Breaking the Bias’ reiterated that the maritime industry is a major driver of the national economy with huge opportunities for women in the sector.

 

 

Umoren in his address titled: ‘Empowerment and Job Opportunities in the Maritime Industry’,  said the economic impact created by the sector is vast and competitive. This, he said, includes job creation, attracting foreign investments, supporting allied industries and creating cosmopolitan cities.

 

The Secretary General also noted that for every direct job the shipping industry creates, another 2.8 are created elsewhere in the economy.

 

“The shipping industry offers hundreds of different types of jobs. There is surely a job that will suit your skills and allow you to excel as you build your career. The maritime sector has a direct, indirect and induced impact on the economy of a nation,” he said.

 

He also urged the women to harness future opportunities in the sector ranging from, a knowledge-based era on the platform of modern technology, environmentally friendly shipping, untapped potential both concerning making shipping greener and by developing new and employing known technology across the ocean space.

 

Speaking on the day’s event, President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Nigeria Chapter, Rollens Macfoy, said while the maritime sector controls 90 per cent of the world economy, there is a need for men and women to work together to push the blue economy to achieve a green economy.

 

She said there is no barrier in professionalism, noting that the maritime sector is large and can accommodate everyone.

 

“We need to educate the young women and implore them to come and be trained to know where they can fit in the industry. They can be crew managers as an administrator, the cooking profession earns so much onboard the vessels, those that like trading can be ship chandlers. There is no end to professionalism in this maritime sector.

 

“We also have a female captain of vessels, so many women have become maritime lawyers, the bias has been broken and today there is nothing that stops a woman from becoming fulfilled professionally and as a woman in the home,” she said.

 

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Akerele, stressed the need to have more female groups working in unity to challenge the women to tap into the opportunities available in the marine world, which is perceived as the male-dominated industry.

 

She expressed satisfaction that the female folks are beginning to venture into the maritime industry, adding that in the nearest future there will be equality.

 

 

 

Also , Jean Chiazor Anishere, the Former Continental President, WIMAfrica (SAN) ,said “Women are the source of life. We are the pillar of the family. We are the Foundation of the society and the fountain of economic, political, social, and cultural development.

 

 

 

Anishere who was represented at the event by Barrister Oluwakemi Awoniyi, added that “ Gender equality is a right. Fulfilling this right is the best chance we have in meeting some of the most pressing challenges of our time-from economic crisis and lack of health care, to climate change, violence against women and escalating conflicts.

 

“Women are not only more affected by these problems, but also possess ideas and leadership to solve them. The gender discrimination still holding too many women back, holds our world back too.

 

“Therefore, as Women in Maritime and Sea Port sector grouped in “African Women in Maritime” (WIMAAFRICA/ WIMANIGERIA), we shall always continue to strive for better economy and as it concerns women, for gender equality.

 

“We shall let our professionalism and hard work come to bear, in order to encourage the younger ones, the girl child and our future leaders, not to relent in good and hard work which make the society a better place for all to live in.