Calling it the “untapped sector,” the secretary-general of the United Nations International Maritime Office on Saturday pushed for the increased involvement of women in the seafaring industry saying they are the key to the growth of the industry.
Speaking during the International Seafarers Day at the SM Convention Center in Pasay City, IMO Secretary- General Ki Tack Lim said the seafaring industry should work towards attracting more women since they have proven to be as equally competent as their male counterparts.
“The importance of women as a huge source of safer sea voyage human resources cannot be overstressed. The shipping world cannot afford to ignore such rich and still largely untapped source of quality recruit,” Lim told some 5,000 marine officers, students and their families who attended the event, sponsored by SM Global Pinoy Program.
The Philippines is the world’s capital source of seafarers with some 367,000 Filipino seafarers deployed all over the world but women make up only 2 percent of the world’s maritime workforce of 1.3 million.
Lim said the greater participation of women in the seafaring industry is of vital importance given the fact that the demand for seafarers is expected to further increase in the coming years.
“Looking ahead, the demand for global fleet for seafarers is increasing and predicted to rise even further attracting seafarers particularly officers,” he said.
Are you a women and would you consider a job as a seafarer?
Source: http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com
