Women represent 1.2% of the world’s 1.2 million seafarers, and only five per cent hold executive leadership positions.

This was highlighted by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) technical co-operation officer at Pacific Community (SPC), Mavis Joseph-Logavatu yesterday.

She was speaking during the International Day for Women in Maritime Association (Fiji) (WIMA) celebration at the Grand Pacific Hotel.

“In the Pacific region, our reality is that there are about 16,000 people in the maritime trade which only 11% of women represent.

That translates to about 800 women in the maritime sector in our region,” she said.

“For Fiji, statistics from 2017 indicate that there are 338 women in the sector.

“There has been a strong movement for the inclusion of women to be at the centre for diversity in the sector.”

Women in Maritime Association (Fiji) (WIMA) president, Jane Koi, said their regional strategy was to be inclusive at community based, grassroots level.

Boat Master Courses
Women living along coastal villages are encouraged to undergo training for boat master courses that are offered by Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji.

MSAF Manager Ships Inspection, Captain Sesoni Komaisoso said a women’s group in Nakalawaca,

Tailevu, was the first to receive a solar-powered boat after they were certified as boat master.

The qualification helps women navigate their own boat, instead of relying on men to take them fishing.

Director, Poverty Monitoring Unit at the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Amelia Nairoba, said the Ministry was looking at conducting training for women.

“From the national women’s machinery, it is critical to first address women’s participation and hope to change the mindset about foreign policy and formulate policies,” Ms Nairoba said.

Crew member of Uto Ni Yalo, Iva Nancy Vunikura shared her experiences as the only female on board the traditional vessel when it sailed around the world.

She said it took time for her male counterparts to accept her as one of the crew members because of her gender.

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