The day aims to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, strengthen gender equality and raise awareness of the vital contributions women make across all levels of the industry — from seafaring and port operations to policymaking and research.
This year’s theme, "An Ocean of Opportunities for Women", underscores the growing possibilities for women to shape the future of maritime. On 16 May, IMO hosted a symposium at its London headquarters, which included panel discussions, a podcast recording and the IMO Gender Equality Award Ceremony, recognising Ms. Karin Orsel (nominated by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) for her commitment to gender equality in maritime.
The event also saw the launch of the IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey 2024, which provides new data on women’s participation in the maritime and ocean sectors. The survey highlights progress made – and the work that still lies ahead – to ensure a more inclusive and equitable maritime industry.
Read more about the International Day for Women in Maritime 2025
Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #WomenInMaritimeDay.