In recognition of International Women’s History Month, social media platform The Hood has launched the ‘Women in Shipping’ series to amplify the voices of women in the maritime industry. This initiative seeks to shed light on the often-overlooked experiences of women working both onboard vessels and in shore-based roles. Although progress has been made in recent years, reports continue to indicate that women face ongoing challenges, such as gender bias and safety concerns. The series features interviews with inspiring women from various levels of the industry, including prominent figures like Güven Kale, Chief Clinical Officer at Mental Health Support Solutions, Abigail Chin, a Second Officer, and Nicki Reasonable, a stewardess.
Each participant shares her perspective on what a maritime career means to her and offers insights on how the industry can evolve to be more inclusive for women. Josephine Le, the founder of The Hood, emphasizes the need to spotlight often-forgotten female voices in maritime. She explains, “As a female entrepreneur in the maritime industry, I wanted to highlight some of the industry’s often forgotten female voices and share their perspectives on what maritime means to them and how it can improve.” Le believes that shipping presents a broad spectrum of opportunities for women, particularly as technology advances and societal attitudes shift. The ‘Women in Shipping Series’ underscores the importance of fostering an environment where women feel safe and supported, particularly as they progress from cadet to leadership roles.
Creating such a space is vital for the industry’s future, ensuring that more women, particularly those from minority backgrounds, can thrive and contribute to maritime’s evolution.