IWD 2024: WIMA Nigeria Seek Lawmakers, Minister , Others To Empower Females In Maritime Operations

In commemoration to the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration 2024, Women In Maritime Africa (WIMA) Nigeria has called on the House of Representatives, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to empower and prioritize females participation in maritime operations.

President of WIMA Nigeria , Mrs Rollens Macfoy disclosed this on Friday in her goodwill message to celebrate IWD celebration 2024, a copy made available to DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA.

2024 IWD celebration has the theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress & INSPIRE INCLUSION.”

Macfoy stated that women professionals in the industry with time tested experience on assignments in diverse areas of needs should be empowered by government at all levels, lamenting that the a paltry 2% of women were gainfully engaged in the sector.

Macfoy who is the Chief Executive Officer of Oceendeep Services Limited , noted that WIMA-Nigeria, as an advocacy group aimed to stop segregation and discrimination against women placement in the sub sector needs government encouragement, because according to her, today’s woman is an embodiment of culture, professionalism and administration, hence needs all the encouragement.

The maritime expert further appealed to the House Representatives, NIMASA and the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, to look into the challenges faced by women in the sector and create an enablement in that regard.

She stated that”International Women’s Day celebration which started in February 28, 1909 is aimed at creating load ability to loud issues of gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. It provides a platform for collective action and collaboration in advocating for women’s rights and empowerment. As we are reminded that gender parity is still far from being achieved, with the World Economic Forum estimating that it will take over a century for gender equality to be attained.

“International Women’s Day is is therefore not just a day to celebrate the achievements of women; But also a call to action for gender equality, hereby encouraging reflection, advocacy, and action to continue breaking down barriers for women and girls around the globe.

“To educate the public on the rights of women and the means of enforcing such rights for the achievement of equality, development and peace.

“Therefore, 2024 IWD with theme ‘ *Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress* ‘ with indeed a wonderful one as the team is so inspiring. ”
“Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress*
& NSPIRE INCLUSION.

“This means a lot to us in WIMA-NIGERIA, as it tallies with our aim and objectives is advocacy to stop segregation and discrimination against women, when it comes to placement in professionalism, because today’s woman is an embodiment of culture, professionalism & administration , hence IWD celebrated every 8th of March as global day of acknowledging the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

“The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
Not only does it celebrate the achievements and progress women have made, but it also highlights the ongoing struggles for equality in professionalism and the need for continued advocacy and action to achieve this worldwide .

“WIMA-NIGERA therefore as an association base of Female Maritime Professionals in Nigeria, and the first and only association championing Blue Economy in Nigeria in the last 8 years, and have been the voice campaigning for the right placement & promotion of women as well as the abolishment of female discrimination of on professionalism. We cooperate & collaborate with other international bodies to advocate for Nigerian women in the Maritime Sector, while maintaining mainstream participation in all aspects of the Blue Economy, Policies, We are also advocates of General Maritime Awareness, Human Capacity Building and Entrepreneurial Development for women.

“In the light of this, we use this opportunity of 2024 IWD celebration to appeal to the captains of the industry in Nigeria to be intentional in the employment, proper placement and promotion of women in the industry.

“We also use this opportunity to appeal to the House of Representatives and the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy to expressly recognize this association and her aims and objectives and hearken to our plea and create and make space for women in this industry, especially in the technical aspect. As it is appalling and very regrettable to know that less than 2% of women professionals are employed in this industry, in Nigeria while thousands of professionally qualified maritime women are out there roaming the streets with no one to employ them because they are women.

” Emphasis here is on the female seafarers the technical experts as it is termed that maritime is only for men.

“We therefore appeal to the House Representatives, NIMASA and the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, CON to look into this and create an enablement in this regard. This is why we say that this year’s theme is very inspiring and comforting to women in the maritime industry.

It is worthy of note, however, that WIMA-NIGERIA is an embodiment of women professionals in the industry with time tested experience on assignments in areas of Maritime/Admiralty law, Crew Management, Maritime logistics & chain supply, Ship Chandeling , , Shipping operations, Vessel Owners, jetty and container terminal owners, specialists in Maritime Arbitration & other Marine trainings, vessel Captains & chief Engineers, specialist also in Cabotage and Maritime Labour mediation and ship registry, as well as Maritime Consultancy.

These are rooted technocrats desiring to unleash their potential & shatter the glass ceiling after having studied in the world’s best universities and maritime schools. *Hence we are not beggers but great value to the Nigerian maritime industry and world economy at large. As we all know that shipping & Maritime today houses about 90% of the world’s economy.

THEREFORE, THIS EMPLOYMENT REQUEST IS OUR CIVIC, ECONOMIC & LEGAL RIGHT, WHICH SHOULD BE AN INCLUSION IN WORLD EMPLOYMENT INDUSTRY.

We therefore urge Nigerian government and Maritime authorities and the world at large to rise to the great challenge and join United Nations to encouraged women to greater heights & celebrate women in totality.