© UNODC
Patrol navigation training in Southeast Asia.
In commemoration of the International Day for Women in Maritime on 18 May, UNODC reinforces its commitment to promote gender equality and women’s participation in all sectors as drivers for development.
For Zulinda Binti Ramly, First Admiral at the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, being a women in a male-dominated sector like maritime law enforcement can be taxing.
“Ships rarely accommodate female crew members due to cultural reasons,” she says. “We have to multi-task when it comes to family, sometimes our job requires us to move from state to state, which requires the support of our partner.”
As highlighted by the BIMCO/ICS 2021 Seafarer Workforce Report, women only represent 1.2 per cent of the global seafarer workforce - possibly one of the lowest in any given industry. Nevertheless, this represents a 45.8 per cent increase in the number of women serving as seafarers when compared to 2015. Women across the world are challenging old traditions and breaking down barriers to insert themselves in roles that formerly were known to be exclusively for men.
One such role is to command a patrol vessel – a duty that has always been performed by men in many parts of the world. As part of the efforts to strengthen women’s role in maritime law enforcement, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) and in cooperation with the Sri Lanka Navy, delivered the first Inshore Patrol Craft (IPC) navigation training for female officers in Southeast Asia in August 2023. The one-month training, incorporating both theoretical knowledge and practical exercise of running an IPC vessel at sea, helped strengthen the participants’ boat navigation skills, thus preparing them for a commanding duty in the future.
Additionally, for several years UNODC has hosted the bi-annual Women in Maritime Law Enforcement Dialogue (WinMLE) as a network for women officers in Southeast Asia to discuss existing challenges and share their experiences.
“To promote women in MLE, mentorship is important. To be effective mentors, women need to 'walk the talk'. WinMLE has inspired women in the region through sharing practices and experience," said Philippines Coast Guard Commodore Mitzie Silva-Campo at the 9th WinMLE in November 2023.
To further replicate the success of WinMLE in Southeast Asia, UNODC is now conducting a similar dialogue for women in maritime law enforcement in the Pacific region, known as PacWinMLE.
Most recently, UNODC helped facilitate the EmpowerHer event in the Philippines on 17 May 2024 to highlight the importance of gender inclusivity in maritime security operations. The event enabled a deeper discussion with national policy makers and women personnel on measures to overcome barriers to women’s full participation in maritime law enforcement.
As Commodore Mitzie summed up at the 9th WinMLE: "Never be afraid to aim high; with determination, women can achieve anything.”
UNODC also believes with concerted efforts from the international community, a future world with gender balance and inclusivity can be within reach.
