…reechoes FESAN’s plea for women inclusion in seafaring
As the world celebrates the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD), the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria joined in the festivity by commending women around the world for their strength and endurance, especially in maritime.
In a statement disseminated by WISTA Nigeria President, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, the group equally seized the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges women face in the shipping industry with emphasis on female seafarers.
“The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have issued a series of recommendations in a concerted effort to address violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault in the maritime sector. This sexual harassment is suffered predominantly by women.”
“However, the issue of harassment was reiterated by the President of the Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria (FESAN), Koni Duniya, who has called for an end to discrimination against its members by ship owners. Duniya noted that since 2019, only 5 percent growth in female seafaring recorded in Nigeria,” WISTA President said.
She condemned the practice of discrimination against female seafarers in their bid to get job opportunities, access to finance for educational development, as well as challenges around foreign vessel engagement occasioned by limitations with getting visas.
“The measures taken by the IMO on the issues of the working conditions of female seafarers were discussed during a Joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group (JTWG) meeting held at the IMO headquarters in London from 27 to 29 February 2024. The recommendations include amendments to the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC 2006), aligning it with the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019. The changes also call for mandatory IMO training for seafarers, and extra guidance for shipowners.”
“As laudable as the International measures are, it does not and cannot address the issue of underemployment of female seafarers in Nigeria. It appears government and maritime agencies seem to be paying only lip service to the issue of inclusivity in the Industry,” she said.
She opined that there is a need for more legislations and regulations; and if possible institutionalization of those measures that eliminate gender discrimination in all ramifications in the nation’s maritime space.
Ezeoke maintained that the issues go beyond setting aside one day in a year, but all stakeholders must work towards changing how male and female children are raised at home and school environments in order to prevent little sentiments that blossom into discrimination.