On August 12th, a new research, titled “Survey on Gender Equality in Indian Maritime Industry (2024),” was issued, providing insight on the great advances and persistent problems for women in the Indian maritime sector over the previous five years. The report was created by Maritime SheEO with financial assistance from the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mumbai. This survey is a follow-up to one taken in 2019.
The report was formally launched at the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mumbai, in the presence of Capt. Daniel J Joseph (Nautical Surveyor/Deputy Director General of Shipping), Consul General Bart de Jong, and Deputy Consul General Thierry van Helden.
The major findings indicate both progress and ongoing issues experienced by women in the marine sector. Since 2019, female participation in the business in India has increased significantly. Notably, the percentage of female CEOs has increased from 3.9% in 2019 to 21.4% in 2024. Similarly, the adoption of gender-neutral policies by businesses has increased from 80% to 92.7%, demonstrating the industry’s attempts to become more inclusive. However, the paper stresses that, despite these advances, difficulties still exist. The proportion of female seafarers has only slightly increased, from 89% in 2019 to 89.5% in 2024, indicating the need for further targeted actions in this sector. Furthermore, while compliance with global standards such as the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles has increased from 25% to 89.3%, variations in the implementation of these practices highlight the need for improved communication and support methods.
A Call for Continued Action
The research emphasises the necessity of continued efforts to enhance working conditions and career possibilities for women in the maritime industry. It advocates for specific initiatives to overcome barriers to professional advancement and create more inclusive workplaces, particularly in seafaring roles.
Sanjam Sahi Gupta, the founder of Maritime SheEO, observed, “Despite the industry’s critical importance in the nation’s economy and worldwide trade, women are significantly under-represented in key maritime professions, both onshore and offshore. With this paper, we hope to look into the issues that women face in the Indian maritime sector, assess current gender disparities, and offer measures to improve gender equality and empower women in this critical area.”
Mr Bart de Jong, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Mumbai, stated, “The Netherlands has been a champion of gender equality, particularly in the marine sector. Several initiatives and policies have contributed to an increase in the number of women employed in this sector. We are delighted to sponsor Maritime SheEO’s latest study on women’s engagement in the maritime sector in India. It represents tremendous progress towards female diversity in this critical business.”
He also stated that the study’s findings show a good trend, with more women entering and contributing to the maritime sector, indicating a shift towards more inclusivity. However, it also underscores the barriers, notably in professional development and workplace diversity that impede full and equal involvement.”
Mr De Jong believes that continuing to address these challenges is critical to ensuring long-term growth and creating a fairer environment for female maritime workers.
The Maritime SheEO Conference 2024
This report’s findings will be discussed in a dedicated panel at the marine SheEO Conference 2024 in Mumbai, where industry executives, policymakers, and stakeholders will unite to explore solutions for achieving gender equality in the marine sector.
Download the Report
The whole research, as well as case studies from industry leaders such as Mrs. H.K. Joshi, Bhagyashree Ogale, and companies such as Synergy Marine Group, Seaspan Corporation, and Anglo-Eastern, can be downloaded from our website: https://maritimesheeo.com/research/
Marex Media