According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)[1], although there is evidence of a gender balance in the population distribution, the labour market reflects that men are 50 % more likely to be employed than women, which in contrast does not vary in populations where the proportion of women is higher than that of men.

In addition, the report of the 2021 Virtual Dialogue Table of Women in Maritime and Port Security (2021), organised by the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism of the Organisation of American States (CICTE-OAS)[2] indicates that women occupy 30% of positions in the maritime sector globally, a percentage that is reduced in the Latin American and Caribbean region, where it is around 20%. Even so, there is a greater reduction in the participation of women in maritime positions, with representations as low as 2%.

Unlike other economic sectors where gender equality has been widely discussed, the maritime and port sector still lags behind in terms of attention and action. Significant challenges remain to ensure that women have equal access to employment and career development opportunities.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO)³ has implemented strategies to increase women’s participation in the maritime sector. At the regional level, initiatives such as Women in Maritime Associations of the Caribbean (WIMAC)⁴, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA)⁵, and the Network of Women Maritime Authorities of Latin America (MAMLa Network)⁶ have been instrumental in promoting gender equity. Despite these efforts, women’s representation in the region remains low, especially in operational and leadership roles.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, women have managed to position themselves as key figures within the maritime and port ecosystem, assuming leadership roles in different areas. Their participation in strategic port security tasks is equally outstanding, as they are responsible for border control, customs and migration agencies, where they ensure the protection of the sector’s critical infrastructure. However, there are still structural barriers that limit a wider insertion in this field. Among the main challenges are gaps in access to technical training and in the development of leadership skills, as well as a lack of policies to facilitate work-life balance. The first Seminar on Women in maritime and port security, held in May 2024, identified challenges and opportunities, establishing a platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices.

As a follow-up to the reflections promoted by the International Day of Women in the Maritime Sector, CICTE-OAS, the Centre for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE) and SELA have decided to resume the contributions of the Virtual Dialogue Table of Women in Maritime and Port Security (2021). Overall, this initiative aims to continue the progress achieved since then, to make visible the experiences of women active in the maritime and port sector, and to promote meeting spaces that foster the exchange of knowledge, professional training and the strengthening of networks.

1 International Monetary Fund (IMF) (2024). Global Employment Gender Gaps. In https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/067/2024/004/article-A001-en.xml

2 Organisation of American States (OAS). Mesa de Diálogo Virtual de Mujeres en Protección Marítima y Portuaria

3 International Maritime Organisation (IMO). https://www.imo.org/es

⁴ Women in Maritime Association (WIMA), Caribbean. https://www.wimacaribbean.com

5 Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International). https://wistainternational.com

⁶ Network of Women Maritime Authorities of Latin America (MAMLa Network). https://www.redmamla.org/

This seminar aims to: i) reaffirm the regional commitment to gender equity in the maritime and port sector, promoting women’s leadership, strategic capacity building and cooperation; ii) encourage the training and consolidation of women’s networks in the maritime and port industry, through the exchange of experiences, practical tools and strategies to transform the professional and operational environment; iii) and highlight best practices that can help maximise the contribution of women to the sector.

The seminar will be hosted by the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), the Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Centre for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE).

Date: 03 and 04 June 2025.

Time: 09:30 – 12:00 (Eastern Standard Time/EST) both days.

Languages: Spanish with simultaneous translation into English.

Format: virtual.

Cost: free of charge

Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RJGhP3g8RRmk49IT9JHytw

For additional information please contact:

At the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA):

• Coordination of the Economic Recovery Area: recuperación_economica@sela.org
• Gustavo Herrera, Coordinator of Social Development: gherrera@sela.org
• Alixis Mariño, Economic Recovery Analyst: amarino@sela.org

At the Organisation of American States (OAS) / Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE):

• Representative of CICTE:

At the Centre for Ocean Policy and Economics (COPE):

• Lisbeth Laurie, Director of Maritime Safety and Security in the Americas: llaurie@thecope.org

• Panel of experts
• Leadership forum

• Creation of spaces for exchange between leaders, experts and multilateral organisations.
• Visibilisation of female leaders and promotion of the development of professional careers.
• Contribution to the strengthening of leadership and negotiation skills in the maritime port context, with special reference to maritime security.
• Dissemination and adoption by the participants of lessons learned, as well as the identification and survey of best practices, policies and procedures that promote the recruitment and growth opportunities for women in the maritime port sector.