The UN International Maritime Organization adopted last year a resolution to designate May 18th as International Day for Women in Maritime. The move is in tandem with IMO’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), and support work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime.

In Mumbai, India, the day was convened gloriously through ‘The ATPI-Marex International Maritime Women Empowerment Conference & Awards’ on 18^th May 2022 at The Westin Garden City in Mumbai where it was graced by the Chief Guest Capt. Venzy Viegas, MLA –State of Goa.

The Guests of Honour included Mrs. HK Joshi-CMD of The SCI; Mrs. Neera Saggi, IAS- Retd., a board member of several Global Companies; and HE Ms. Yasiel Burillo- Ambassador of Panama to India. The guests shared their thoughts on the maritime scene for women in India and abroad.

Mr. Kitack Lim, the Secretary General of IMO; Shri. Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Tourism and Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India; and Mrs. Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs & Culture, shared their thoughts on the day through virtual messages to the organizers.

The conference had power packed sessions throughout the day starting with ‘Promoting Allyship’ presented virtually by Ms. Jillian Carson Jackson-President of The Nautical Institute (UK), Mr. Gordon Foot (Senior Offshore Client Representative –FORMOSA 2 OFFSHORE WIND, Taiwan) and Mr. Yrhen Ballinis – Goodwill Ambassador for Maritime-Philippines. The session extracted powerful responses from the audience in the form of a virtual Mentimeter survey that pepped up the session.

The conference presented a Fireside chat that helped break all barriers of communication due to the affable and interesting facilitation of Capt. Shoukat Mukherjee (Founder and CEO-The Naval Connection) on the topic Care Infrastructure in Maritime. Three leading women in maritime Mrs. HK Joshi, Mrs. Neera Saggi, and Ms. Nita Jha (Head of Group Learning & Organisational Development, Sustainability & Support Services, MSC Ship Management Ltd. Cyprus) participated effortlessly in an impromptu chat that received a huge applause from the audience.

A session on Gender Ratio in Maritime by Capt. Kunal Uniyal (Founder and CEO-International Maritime Business Academy) and Capt. Purnendu Shorey (Co-Founder and Director-Offing Group Pvt.Ltd) focused on creating training-visibility-promotion as key aspects of engaging a larger women workforce in maritime.

The conference held two panel discussions which focused on deliberating Gender Bias in Maritime and Creating a positive ecosystem for women.

The Prologue, Gender Bias: Myth Vs Reality was delivered by Prof. Dr. Neharika Vora (Vice- Chancellor-Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University) and thereafter a panel discussion was held, moderated by Capt. Yashoverman Sharma (Director-True North Competency) with a powerful panel consisting of: Mrs. Anagha Narsule (Asst. General Manager-Subcontract and Marine Chartering for Larsen and Toubro); Capt. K.P Jayakumar (Nautical Advisor(I/C)-Govt. of India at Directorate General of Shipping); Capt. Nitin Hardi (Managing Director-ATPI); and Ms. Maria Dixon-Virtually (Managing Director-ISM Shipping, UK.)

A quiz on ‘Women Achievements’ too was held, and won by Capt. Mohan Naik (MD-Dynacom Tankers).

Dr. Deepak Shetty, IRS-Retd. (Former Secretary to the Government of India and Director General of Shipping) moderated the panel discussion on the topic ‘Creating Positive Ecosystems for Women in Maritime’ with panellists from various fields.

Dr. Malini Shankar, IAS-Retd., (Vice Chancellor – Indian Maritime University); Ms. Saleha Shaikh (Head Co-ordinator, Women’s Wing, Maritime Union of India & Founder and CEO-Dynamic Marine Solutions); Ms. Ishita Chattopadhyay (Chief Operating Officer- Confidence Shipping Pvt. Ltd); Dr. Deepti Mankad (Founder and Director-MINDSPEAK); Dr. Mary Dcruz (Physician and Diabetologist); and Capt. Prabhat Nigam (Director- Principal, School of Maritime Studies,Chitkara University) were on this worthy panel.

The conference was followed by The Marex Maritime Women-Empowerment Awards, 2022, wherein individual achievers and organizations in the maritime industry were awarded for their achievements.

• Marex Media

BOX 1

The Chief Guest for the ATPI- MAREX Awards evening was Surgeon Rear Admiral Arti Sarin of The Indian Navy; whereas Dr. Malini Shankar, VC-Indian Maritime University; Mrs. HK Joshi; and Mrs. Neera Saggi, graced as Guests of Honour for the evening.

The Individual category awards were bagged by:-

1. Ms Amreen Bano – Young Achiever
2. Ms Mythili Mahalingam -Young Achiever
3. Ms.Shreya -Young Achiever
4. Ms Reshma Nilofer -Exceptional Professional Achievement in Maritime/ Seafaring
5. Ms Neetu Jaiswal-Excellence in Entrepreneurship
6. Ms Rajshree Verma -Excellence in Entrepreneurship
7. Mrs Saleha Shaikh -Trailblazer
8. Dr Deepti Mankad -Trailblazer
9. Ms Vinita Venkatesh-Exceptional Professional Achievement
10. Dr Nutan Sood -Heart of Community
11. Ms Laura Sherman-Catalyst of Change
12. HE Mrs Yasiel Burillo -Woman on a Mission
13. Mrs Harjeet Kaur Joshi -Woman of Exemplary Courage
14. Mrs Nita Jha -Excellence in People Management Strategy

The maritime Organization category awards were bagged by:-

1. Maersk Fleet Management and Technology India Private Limited- Excellence in Promoting Women in Seafaring
2. The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd-Excellence in Gender Diversity
3. International Women Seafarers Federation -Excellence in Women Related Social Responsibility
4. Directorate General of Shipping -The HIMT Award for Promoting Maritime Education and Training of Women
5. Seaspan Crew Management India Pvt Ltd-Excellence in Promoting Development of Women
6. MMS Maritime(India) Pvt Ltd- Excellence in Promoting Indian Women in International Shipping, Ashore and on Board

Family Members of seafarers were recognised for their work through a special ‘Recognition’.

1. Mrs. Bharati Bhandarkar- Exemplary achievement in the field of Maritime Media and Events.
2. Ms. Shevata Rai Talwar- Exemplary achievement in Community Service
3. Dr.Bhavana Bhatia- Exemplary achievement in Community Service
4. Mrs. Sadhana Choudhury- Exemplary achievement in Community Service
5. Mrs. Kiran Phadnis – Exemplary achievement in Interior Design
6. Mrs. Suchita Sudhir Javadekar- Exemplary achievement in the field of Sports (Car Rally)
7. Miss Mehak Sharma –Exemplary achievement in the field of Beauty & Modelling
8. Mrs. Toshi Kumar –Exemplary achievement in Performing Arts (Singing)
9. Mrs. Ritu Dhawan- Exemplary Professional Achievement

BOX 2

The day also witnessed two important launches of the journal, ‘Mariners’ Quest’ by MINDSPEAK, and a book titled ‘A MARINER’S GUIDE TO NAVIGATIONAL WATCHES – Principles and Best Practices – Fully Explained’. The latter is authored by Capt. Yashwant Chhabra, and published by Marex Media Pvt Ltd.

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