(NEWS) Empowering Women in the Maritime Community - Conference and Call for Papers

August

2018

Empowering Women in the Maritime Community - Conference and Call for Papers

To address the gender gap in the maritime, ports, fishing and related industries, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that the World Maritime Day theme for 2019 is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”. Since being founded in 1983 under the auspices of the IMO, the World Maritime University (WMU), has been committed to the advancement of women in the maritime. In 2019, WMU will host its 3rd International Women’s Conference from 4-5 April on the theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”.

The aim of the Conference is to identify opportunities to encourage women to pursue careers in the maritime and ocean sectors, and to call for action from maritime and other stakeholders in support of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 5 related to gender equality, as a cross-cutting theme.

Today, the maritime and related industries continue to be one of the most male dominated sectors, including seafarers, fishermen, port operators, surveyors, port state control officers, and government officials. The under-representation of women in the maritime industry has not significantly changed over the past 25 years. In 1992, the number of women seafarers was estimated as 1-2% of the total seafaring workforce, while the latest 2015 manpower report from BIMCO/ICS indicates that only 1% of seafarers are women. In seafood harvesting, the numbers and employment conditions of women are usually well behind that of men.

Indeed, stereotyping and discrimination against maritime women persist. They affect working conditions, equal access to education and training as well as career opportunities. Gender specific data is scarce. Issues such as women's health gain little attention and good practices regarding the empowerment of women remain barely visible.

The Conference Organizing Committee invites the submission of original research abstracts for consideration to present a paper at the conference. All submissions must be original articles of high quality. Following a peer review, selected papers will be published in the Special Issue of the WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs to mark this very special occasion.

Forward-thinking papers that seek to advance achievement of the SDGs are welcome. Topics focused on SDG 5 and gender equality in maritime and related ocean fields are of particular relevance. Submissions are also welcome with a focus on additional SDGs, such as, but not limited to: Goal 1 (end of poverty), Goal 4 (quality education), Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy), Goal 8 (decent work), Goal 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), Goal 12 (responsible consumption and production), Goal 13 (climate action), Goal 14 (life below water), Goal 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions), and Goal 17 (partnerships for the goals).

Submission

Abstract submissions (MS Word format) are due by 30 November 2018 to abstracts@wmu.se.

For more information about the Call for Papers, click here.

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Maritime Governance: Contextual Factors affecting Implementation of IMO Instruments

My decision to enroll in the doctoral program at WMU was heavily influenced by my prior experience as a Master's student at the institution. Initially introduced to me as a preeminent global institution for maritime education, WMU's stellar reputation was further substantiated by the exceptional quality of education I received during my Master’s studies. This experience became a compelling factor in my determination to return to WMU as a doctoral student. Recognizing the synergies between my research aspirations and the institutional offerings at WMU, I concluded that continuing my educational journey at this esteemed institution was not only beneficial but also aligned perfectly with my academic and professional goals.

My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

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Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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