NCS Advocates for Increased Women’s Participation in Maritime Sector.
The Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) is advocating for greater involvement of women in the maritime industry, highlighting that Nigeria’s blue economy potential can only be realized with active female participation, particularly in managerial roles. This message was conveyed by Aminu Umar, President of NCS, during an event in Lagos celebrating the 2024 International Day for Women in Maritime, themed “Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety.”
Represented by Jean Chiazor Anishere, a Governing Board member of NCS, Umar emphasized the critical role women play in ensuring the maritime sector is safe, inclusive, innovative, and resilient. “To fully harness our blue economy, we need women actively participating at all levels, especially in leadership,” Umar stated.
Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, Director General of NCS, highlighted that this is the third event organized by NCS to address issues of inclusion, equity, and diversity within the maritime industry. She pointed out that with women comprising 41 percent of Nigeria’s population, equitable participation in the workforce is essential for economic growth.
Vice President of NCS, Ify Akerele, called for proactive measures, suggesting the establishment of a steering committee to develop a white paper for the National Assembly to push for policies promoting gender equity in the maritime sector. Akerele emphasized that NCS was founded to lead advocacy efforts and promote affirmative action in the industry.
Abdulkadir Ahmed, Managing Director of NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), stressed the need to tackle biases and create inclusive work environments. He advocated for policies that ensure zero tolerance for sexual harassment onboard vessels and called for gender-sensitive contracts to support working mothers.
Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International, noted that the challenges women face in the maritime industry are universal, with gender balance being a global issue. Petraki highlighted that women make up only 29 percent of the global maritime workforce, with the figure dropping to 24 percent in maritime administrations and less than 2 percent in seafaring.
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She urged Nigerian women to participate in the ongoing IMO/WISTA maritime survey to ensure accurate representation and promote gender inclusion in the sector. Sharing her personal experiences, Edidiong Sola-Abalo, a female ship captain, described the gender biases, unequal pay, and sexual harassment female seafarers often face. She called for policies to encourage more women to join the maritime workforce, eliminate discrimination, and ensure equal remuneration.
The NCS event underscored the importance of women’s participation in shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, advocating for comprehensive strategies to promote gender equity and inclusivity.
