The IMO and World Maritime University (WMU) have released a new Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming in the Maritime Sector, calling for action to address persistent gender inequality across the global maritime industry.The
The IMO and World Maritime University (WMU) have released a new Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming in the Maritime Sector, calling for action to address persistent gender inequality across the global maritime industry.
The handbook, authored by WMU Professor Momoko Kitada, was launched on the International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18. Kitada is also the recipient of the 2026 IMO Gender Equality Award.
The publication is the first of its kind, aimed at closing the gender gap in the maritime sector, where women account for just 1% of the world’s seafaring workforce and hold only 19% of ministerial roles responsible for maritime affairs.
The handbook provides practical guidance for maritime administrations, shipping companies, ports, shipyards and maritime education institutions on how to integrate gender considerations into policies, recruitment, training, workplace safety and leadership development.
It includes tools tailored to maritime organizations for gender analysis, the development of gender equality action plans, and monitoring and evaluation.
The handbood states: In the wake of gender equality initiatives in the maritime sector, there may be a misunderstanding that gender equality benefits women only. At its core, gender mainstreaming allows us to move beyond seeing women and men
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