The Maritime Sector, as the global transport industry is exposed to technological advances, logistics system evolution, digitalization, and decarbonization which are providing new access to employment and other economic opportunities.  In particular, the demand for qualified workers is increasing in traditional seafaring professions and in fields such as automated terminal operators, Vessel Traffic Service operators, system engineers, forwarders, and so on.  However, in most countries, women do not have access to career development programs, including new education and training for new jobs as well as existing professions in the maritime sector.

Although there are global efforts to promote the advancement of women in maritime, they need to be complemented and supported by national and regional actions.  This is because there is a need to increase the capacity of national maritime agencies to design evidence-based policies to promote women’s participation in the maritime sector, as well as to identify the underlying reasons hindering women’s greater participation in the industry.

In light of this, ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific) is conducting a research study to offer policy recommendations for gender equality and women’s empowerment in the maritime sector, taking into consideration regional and national contexts in Asia and the Pacific. As part of this work, a dedicated research team led by Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, an International Consultant, Founder, Maritime SheEO, and Ex-President WISTA (India) will work with countries in the region to assess their current activities, identify key opportunities, and challenges, and ultimately support the design of a road map towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. The outcomes of this effort will help the Member States build gender policy in the maritime sector by facilitating regional exchanges of best practices and lessons learned. The assignment will include a stakeholder survey, interviews, data collection of information on women in the maritime sectors in Asia and the Pacific, and a review of relevant documents, which will take place in April and May 2022.

To take the surveys, please visit the below websites:

Survey for Government agencies https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWNSZ76

Survey for companies https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NH37VGD

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