Guidelines for Women Seafarers Employment launched by International Women Seafarer Foundation

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New Delhi [India], Oct 6 : The policy guidelinesfor women seafarers employment made by IWSF was released across the world for the first time ever by DG shipping Dr. Malini V. Shankar, IAS, Director General of Shipping and Secretary to Government of India at “Vision Connect – Mumbai 2018”. The Event was graced by Dr. Malini V. Shankar, IAS, Director General of Shipping & Secretary to Government of India and released the policy guidelines for Women Seafarers Employment. Dr. Sujata Naik Tolani, Chairperson, Tolani Shipping Co. Ltd. and Mr. Suresh Sinha, Managing Director, Indian register of Shipping as guest of honor were part of the release of the Policy guidelines sending a unique message to Maritime Industry and that how for cause of Women seafarers Ship Owner, Regulator and classification society can come together.

The guideline is a step to fill the gap in policy, procedures and provide recommendation to support and assist companies to establish gender neutral working environment. The guidelines are segregated as Part A which are the Code which are “strongly recommended” included in company policies and procedures. Part B are the general recommendation. The policy provides guidelines related to hiring and equal opportunity on gender neutral basis, basic onboard facilities, maternity leave and re-joining procedures, gender sensitization, training and creating an ecofriendly system for the women seafarers.

It has been almost 3 decades since women has entered in this profession, but till today women seafarer in India have 0.5 percent Women participation among Total seafarers and that include Cruise shipping Crew. Contribution to the Merchant fleet is again way too less. On seeing Indian seafarers statistics, in year 2017, total 1,54,349 were active seafarers, out of which 810 were women seafarersincluding hospitality crew. Out of these 810 only 121 are officers and thus percentage goes further down.