– Pratik Bijlani –
A key highlight of India Maritime Week 2025 was the Maritime SheEO Conference, where an impactful panel discussion set the tone for advancing gender inclusivity, mental well-being, and cyber safety in the maritime sector. Moderated by Ms. Suneeti Bala, Co-Founder of the International Women Seafarers Foundation (IWSF), the discussion brought together prominent voices from the government, industry, and academia to address the evolving challenges and opportunities for women in maritime.
The conference, held under the theme “Dream, Believe, Achieve,” formed part of the broader India Maritime Week 2025 and served as a defining platform for shaping a more inclusive and resilient maritime workforce — one where diversity, dignity, and safety form the foundation of progress. Over three days, leaders, policymakers, and experts united to reimagine the sector’s future, focusing not just on ships and trade, but on people, empowerment, and equitable growth across both sea and shore roles.
The panel discussion titled “Cyber Bullying and Social Stalking of Women Seafarers” and was moderated by Ms. Suneeti Bala, Co-Founder of the International Women Seafarers Foundation (IWSF). The panel featured Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping; Capt. Pankaj Kumar, Deputy General Manager (Fleet Personnel), Shipping Corporation of India; Dr. Rajiv Anand, Managing Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Inner Light Counselling Centre; Mr. Deepu Kishinchandani, President, BW Maritime; and Dr. Pattahil Dhanya Menon, Director, Avanzo Cyber Security Solutions. Together, they explored how institutional frameworks, leadership, and legal systems can work hand-in-hand to create an inclusive and safe maritime environment.
Opening the session, Mr Jagannathan underscored the Directorate General of Shipping’s continued commitment to gender equality through its flagship initiative “Sagar Mein Samman.” He emphasized that empowering women across both sea and shore-based roles is not just a matter of representation, but of national growth and resilience. He reiterated the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against harassment and the need to integrate training modules on responsible digital behaviour, workplace ethics, and harassment awareness within maritime institutions. “A whistleblower mechanism should protect those who come forward — only then can we build a culture of trust and transparency,” he stated, calling for institutionalized safeguards that empower victims without fear of retaliation.
Capt Kumar reflected on the Shipping Corporation of India’s two-decade journey of employing women at sea, starting in 2002. While acknowledging the progress achieved, he candidly addressed the challenges that persist in the areas of harassment, bias, and cyber misconduct. Stressing the importance of accountability, he said, “We must have zero tolerance for harassment in any form. There should be clear policies, protocols, and most importantly, trust that there will be no retaliation when a woman reports an issue.” His remarks resonated with many in the audience, underlining the industry’s need to move from reactive to preventive measures.
Adding a psychological dimension to the dialogue, Dr Anand drew attention to the emotional toll faced by women professionals navigating a traditionally male-dominated space. He urged maritime organizations to create structured counselling and mental health support systems to ensure emotional resilience at work. Dr Menon, meanwhile, addressed the growing risk of cyber threats, urging companies to adopt rigorous digital hygiene practices and standardized device-handling protocols, especially in shipboard environments.
As the session concluded, Ms Bala summarized the collective sentiment: while substantial progress has been made in increasing women’s participation in maritime, sustainable change demands stronger enforcement, institutional accountability, and a shift in organizational culture. “While prevention is vital,” she emphasized, “the cure must also exist so that no one feels free to offend with impunity.”
The Maritime SheEO Conference reaffirmed that gender equality in maritime is not limited to numbers or representation—it is about creating a safe, inclusive, and forward-thinking ecosystem where every professional, regardless of gender, can thrive. Through initiatives like Sagar Mein Samman and the collaboration between government and industry, the Indian maritime sector is steering toward a future that is not only modern but meaningfully equitable.
Marex Media