President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Ghana), Gertrude Ohene-Aseinim, has said technical barriers and gender bias are the biggest challenges for women in the maritime industry.
She revealed that only 1.2 percent of the world’s 1.89 million seafarers are female, and most work in non-technical roles on passenger ships.
Speaking to Eye on Port, she explained that the industry’s technical nature discourages women from pursuing seafaring careers.
“Technical jobs in the industry require skills in science and engineering, but many women are not encouraged to study these subjects. A 2021 BEMCO survey showed that technical roles are the biggest barrier. Many women work as stewards, cooks or in customer service, but few hold positions as marine engineers or ship officers,” she elaborated.
She also mentioned that the harsh working conditions at sea make it difficult for women to balance work with family responsibilities.
“Once you are onboard a vessel, you are away from your children, husband or loved ones for long periods. This makes it challenging, especially for those with young families,” she noted.
Cultural barriers and lack of education
Madam Ohene-Aseinim further said cultural beliefs also play a role in keeping women away from maritime careers. “In many homes, girls are expected to do house chores while boys have more time to study. This affects their ability to take up careers in technical fields like marine engineering and naval architecture,” she explained.
She added that because fewer women study science and mathematics, they miss out on opportunities in the maritime industry. “Most of these jobs require a strong background in STEM subjects, and many girls are not guided to pursue them,” she said.
Another challenge she highlighted is the lack of female role models in the maritime sector. “Young women need to see other women succeeding in the field. If there are no women at the top, it’s harder for young girls to believe they can also succeed,” she said.
Sharing her own experiences with gender bias, she noted that: “I have entered boardrooms where people assume I am a secretary instead of head of the company. Women have to work twice as hard to prove themselves,” she said.
Addressing the challenges
To overcome these barriers, Ohene-Aseinim stressed the need for stronger career guidance, mentorship and advocacy.
She revealed that WISTA Ghana, in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is working to equip women with leadership skills through initiatives like the LEAP programme, which provides intensive training for young female professionals.
She also called for more awareness about careers in shipping. “Many people don’t know about opportunities in this industry. I only discovered shipping after university. We need to promote it so more young women can consider it as a career.”
Despite the challenges, Madam Ohene-Aseinim believes progress is being made: “Women are capable and hardworking. If we remove these barriers, more women will take up leadership roles in the industry”.