Gender equality for a sustainable future is not up for discussion

Four of the candidates for the upcoming International Maritime Organisation Secretary General elections participated in a panel discussion on 18 May, where the general consensus was this: gender equality for a sustainable future is non-negotiable and certainly not up for discussion.

In light of International Women in Maritime Day, celebrated annually on 18 May, Oceans Arena Stage, hosted by Gina Panayiotou, featured a panel discussion with four out of the seven candidates for the upcoming IMO elections: Ambassador Nancy Karigithu, Kenya, Minna Kivimäki, Finland, Arsenio Dominguez, Panama and Captain Moin Ahmed, Bangladesh. They shared their thoughts on the role of women for a sustainable future in maritime, the challenges, what can be done for greater gender equality and what their three wishes to Aladdin's magic genie would be in this respect.

Each panellist brought to the table perspectives from their personal journeys and experiences, while some recurring themes throughout the discussion were that diversity and inclusion are of paramount importance for a sustainable global economy; if we want more females on board we need zero-tolerance policies when it comes to safety, ongoing support and conditions which cater to their needs, while it is also important to ensure a seafaring career is perceived as a long-term one, where they can transition between sea and shore with ease and back if they wish to do so.

In concluding, all panellists were asked: “If you were given Aladdin’s magic genie or a magic wand, to action 3 steps from A-Z that would shift the dynamics on gender equality in maritime, what would those 3 things/wishes be?”

You can see what they answered below: