As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2020, WISTA wishes to thank all our members and supporters around the world. Exactly one year ago, we launched our Diversity & Inclusion Pledge, and we are happy to report that nearly 3,000 individuals have signed it.

Our agenda continues to gain international recognition, and there are two elements that are most relevant today. We seek to raise the profile of women in shipping, to close the leadership gap, and to ensure that their abilities and skills are seen and recognised; that they are given equal chances to be educated, included and promoted in their careers.
To that end, it is crucial that our industry, whichever aspect of it one considers, continues to be an attractive industry for young people to find a career.

Technology, societal opinion, and trade dynamics are all shifting, and shifting quickly. New roles are emerging for competent and skilled individuals, and new avenues in our industry are set to expand. Technology, sustainability, and diversity are all elements of our changing industry. While they might seem different and distinct from each other, they each provide an opportunity to build a fit-for-purpose maritime sector. The relevance of WISTA, and the National WISTA Associations which it represents and works closely with, will only increase as we all work toward our sustainability goals for society and the environment.

WISTA remains committed to continuing our work toward a truly diverse industry and to promoting the opportunities for bright minds to be an influence in what will always be a dynamic and fascinating industry. We believe that in today’s world and social environment, we are more collaborative, more free-thinking, aware, and ready to accept the impact of change.

This change cannot happen without collaboration and support on many fronts. In this spirit, and in honour of International Women’s Day, we want to recognize other organisations that are doing great work for the promotion of diversity in our industry.

While this is not an exhaustive list, it shows how many projects are taking place:

• IMO with its Women in Maritime programme and the highlight placed on women’s participation with the World Maritime Day theme 2019.
• International Chamber of Shipping Diversity Panels
• IAPH Women’s Forum
• Maritime UK’s Women in Maritime Taskforce
• Danish Shipping’s Charter for More Women in Shipping
• Women Offshore
• WIS-Denmark
• She of The Sea, Women in Yachting
• Maritime SheEO

Collectively, we can all help create an equal and diverse maritime industry!