The IMO Assembly has adopted a resolution proclaiming an
International Day for Women in Maritime, to be observed on 18 May every year.
The observance will celebrate women in the industry and is
intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of
women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime,
strengthen IMO's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal
5 (gender equality) and support work to address the current gender imbalance in
maritime.
The resolution invites IMO Member States, the maritime
industry, and all others in the maritime endeavour to promote and celebrate the
International Day for Women in Maritime in an appropriate and meaningful
manner.
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said: "This day for
women in maritime will further efforts to achieve SDG 5 on gender equality. It
is a perfect follow-on action to the 2019 theme of empowering women in maritime
and the Assembly resolution adopted in 2019. I am pleased that the Member
States have joined in the call to achieve a barrier-free environment for women,
so that all women can participate fully, safely and without hindrance in the
activities of the maritime community, including seafaring and
shipbuilding."
The proposal to establish an International Day for Women in
Maritime was approved by IMO's Technical Cooperation Committee (TC) in
September 2021 and subsequently endorsed by the IMO Council in November
2021.