Creating an Equitable Gender Environment

MTG Celebrates its ‘Launch Day’ with a Webinar on Gender Sensitization

Pics from this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYbBuNygpdo

The Maritime Trainers Guild (MTG) – brainchild of Captain Prabhat Nigam, Founder President for the past decade has been working towards improving Maritime Education & Training, addressing various agendas each year, be it training trends, improving techniques for marine education, challenges, digitalization, and so on. Suggestions have always been invited from the experts and have been put to work to create the right balanced environment.

This year too, MTG felt a dire need to address a challenge that is being faced and a webinar for the same was conducted on the Launch Day of MTG.

DGS Order 01 of 2023, which establishes a training course on Gender Sensitization, was discussed threadbare by a set of eminent panellists, who presented their valuable views on this topical matter.

Welcoming the panellists and participants, Capt Kamal Chadha, the General Secretary cum Treasurer, gave a brief about the MTG journey so far. He then introduced Shri Amitabh Kumar (IRS), and acquainted all with the theme for panel discussion ‘Gender Sensitization’.

Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director – Sitara Shipping Ltd., and Founder of WISTA India and Maritime SheEO, presented her views on the theme in her opening talk. She strongly believes that no other profession is probably referred to as a ‘man’s job’ as much as seafaring and that traditional mindsets and patriarchal norms are the biggest hurdles to accepting women on board. She suggested cadets should also be given the training to highlight best practices in this regard, suggesting various ways like – avoiding stereotyping, creating a safe and secure working, zero tolerance policies, etc. In conclusion, she said, “A healthy and worthy environment should be created for all.”

Dr Deepti Mankad, Wellness Coach and Counsellor recommended Gender Sensitization Training for all candidates undergoing Pre-Sea and Post-Sea Competency courses, where there is a need to generate awareness in regard to equality in law, social system and democratic activities.

In her turn, Dr Aprajita Bhardwaj (Consulting Psychologist) addressed the many concerns and offered her views. She said, “Changing the mindset of a seafarer regarding gender equality in the maritime field is a challenge.” She pointed out that the issue of physical fitness of the female seafarer is also a concern and suggested fitness training be given to both male and female cadets during their training period, and the female cadets suitably need to be trained to work competently onboard. She concluded by recommending Orientation to handle interpersonal challenges and prejudices of male colleagues.

Next on the panel was Anuradha Singh who put forth her opinions that when gender marginal individuals enter gender homogenous work places, they face increased pressure to perform, social isolation and restrictive roles. To bridge this gap, she suggested to make it smooth sailing for all seafarers. A couple of initiatives can be undertaken moving towards gender integration, like – Improving gender diversity, providing equal access to resources, benefits, support and decision making opportunities, and ensuring psychological safety that is stating opinions (even negative ones) without any fear of backlash based on gender, race or nationality. Open communication about issues and needs of all genders to encourage empathy, and more ways to reduce gender discrimination, be encouraged.

Captain Sushmita, who flies Boeing 737s as Senior Captain with Spice Jet, also supported the idea of the previous panellists, and shared her viewpoint that from a young age, children are exposed to gender-stereotypic portrayals of men and women that teach them to associate women with family and household duties, and men with careers and management. She then discussed about the various efforts that are being made to address these issues and promote greater gender equality in the aviation industry.

She disclosed about recent developments in many organizations that are working to recruit more women into the aviation industry and retain them once they are employed. They are working to raise awareness of gender bias and discrimination and the support networks being established for women in the aviation industry, which includes employee resource groups and professional associations, who can provide resources, mentoring, opportunities for networking and career development, and also about the policies and practices being implemented to address gender bias and discrimination in the aviation industry.

No matter how many differences and discriminations, the best part about the airline uniforms is that once they’ve donned them, they are seen as the rank we hold and not as our gender.

While concluding the panel discussion, Capt Viraf Chichgar and Dr Gulshan Dhillon conducted an Open House- Question and Answer round, to answer the many queries that came up.

In his interaction with Mr Kumar, Capt Nigam shared his precious thoughts on his vision and in what perspective does he view the future events to unfold marking this important decision with the introduction of Gender Sensitization being made a compulsory course for the seafarers and considering it to be great step in this direction.

The webinar concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Capt Chadha.

Marex Media