Women in Maritime - Recognition

IMO Gender Equality Award 2025

The Council, at its 128th session, approved a proposal to establish the IMO Gender Equality Award, to accord an international recognition to those individuals, irrespective of their gender, who, either in their personal capacity or as representatives of their respective institutions, have made significant contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector. The Award terms of reference can be found in annex 1 to Circular Letter No. 4823, and the nomination form in Word format can be accessed here.

World Maritime Day 2019

"Empowering Women in the Maritime Community" was selected as the World Maritime Day theme for 2019. This provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality, in line with the SDGs, and to highlight the important contribution of women all over the world to the maritime sector.

Throughout the year, IMO worked with various maritime stakeholders to help create an environment in which women are identified and selected for career development opportunities in maritime administrations, ports and maritime training institutes and to encourage more conversation for gender equality in the maritime space. The Women in Maritime programme pushed forward with numerous activities, including premiering the film, Turning the Tide, launching the online profiles of women in the maritime sector and providing support to the Women in Maritime Associations (WIMAs) launched through the programme.

Achieving a barrier-free working environment for women in the maritime sector

At the end of 2019, the IMO Assembly adopted a resolution urging further firm action in coming years to advance gender equality throughout the maritime sector and reach a barrier-free environment.

2019 - A YEAR OF ACTION - Click on the image to download the PDF.