International Day For Women In Maritime Highlights Women's Role In Sustainable Industry Development

The International Day for Women in Maritime, celebrated every year on May 18, was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2021. This day highlights the accomplishments of women in the maritime sector and encourages their participation through education and training. It also focuses on preserving marine resources to ensure a sustainable future for the industry.

Saudi Arabia actively participates in this global celebration, emphasizing the significant contributions of Saudi women to maritime transport both regionally and internationally. The Kingdom aims to create an inclusive marine environment that supports women's roles in the maritime industry, thereby fostering economic and social growth. These efforts are aligned with initiatives like "IMOGENDER," which promotes gender equality, and "IMOCARES," which offers technological opportunities for reducing carbon emissions.

The Transport General Authority is dedicated to empowering Saudi women within the maritime sector. It supports their involvement in innovation and modern technologies while ensuring marine resource conservation. This strategic approach aims to enhance women's roles and contributions to the industry.

Saudi Arabia takes pride in its female pioneers within the maritime field. In 2023, Hayat Al-Yabis made history as the first Saudi woman appointed as the Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the IMO. Earlier, in 2017, Wijdan Al-Suhaibani became the first President of the Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWIMA), representing Saudi Arabia.

In 2024, Najla Al-Nuaimi achieved a milestone by becoming the first certified female maritime trainer in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Reem Al-Khowaiter was honoured with the "Best Young Woman of the Year" award, highlighting her exceptional contributions to the sector.

Global Initiatives Supporting Women's Roles

The "IMOGENDER" initiative is a collaborative effort with IMO aimed at achieving gender equality within maritime sectors worldwide. Meanwhile, "IMOCARES" empowers women by providing them with advanced technological tools for carbon reduction efforts. These initiatives reflect a commitment to enhancing women's roles across various aspects of maritime activities.

Through these initiatives and recognitions, Saudi Arabia demonstrates its dedication to advancing women's participation in maritime fields. By supporting education and training opportunities alongside international collaborations like those with IMO initiatives such as "IMOGENDER" and "IMOCARES," it seeks not only gender equality but also sustainable development within this vital industry.

With inputs from SPA