SOLOMON Islands maritime sector has historically given birth to a new women maritime association, which will provide recognition to the role of women working in the country’s seafaring sector.
The Solomon Islands Women in Maritime Association (SIWIMA) was recently launched in a ceremonial program held at the Iron Bottom Sound Hotel, Honiara.
Among the key speech presenters at the event, was the Director of Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA), Tim Harris.
He expressed excitement at the establishment of the Association: “ the word �?maritime’ means concerned with shipping and ports, and so SIWIMA is an association for personnel, male and female, engaged anywhere in the shipping and ports industries.
“The association’s aim is to increase the involvement of Solomon Islands women in the maritime sector. To achieve the aim, SIWIMA will create a platform or a forum that they can work with in order to achieve their aims.
“It will also look at promoting education, training and career opportunities for women in national, regional and international seafaring, aimed to improve levels of competency. And also it will look at encouraging cooperation, friendship and understanding through the exchange of knowledge and the dissemination of information nationally, regionally and internationally,” he said.
Harris added SIWIMA is expected to promote laws and policies that advance gender equality in the maritime sector, including ratification of International treaties and conventions relating to women in the shipping and ports industries.
“The association will be focusing on it to create a national network for SIWIMA and women involved in other internationally recognized Associations and the maritime sector including Pacific Women in Maritime (PacWIMA) and International Maritime Organization (IMO).
“It will also focus on establishing partnerships and explore opportunities with international and regional organizations and other government agencies, private companies and regional groups in the implementation and achievement of SIWIMA’s purpose,” he told participants attended the launched program.
“The association seeks to adopt policies to empower gender equality. It also seeks for co-operation and collaboration between men and women working together for the advancement of this very important maritime sector.
The Director encouraged more women to join the association as the membership is open to all women who are working anywhere in the maritime industry ashore or afloat, including the ports, the fishing industry, ships agencies, ship repair yards, etc.
“Membership is not restricted to women, and SIWIMA looks forward to men in the maritime industry joining SIWIMA and supporting their objectives.
“In realizing the aims of SIWIMA, it s intended that the Association will also be concerned with the general welfare of Solomon Islands women in maritime community and I hope you now have a better understanding of SIWIMA and may be encouraged to join,” Mr Harris said.
Meanwhile, he said the association will also be working at raising awareness on issues concerning women in maritime with the general public and stakeholders; spaces where nursing mothers can feed their babies in peace and comfort aboard ships and toilets for women on board.
The Minister for Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID), Hon Stanley Sofu commended the establishment of this association as another milestone in the development of our country’s shipping industry.
“We must encourage all young people, not just the men, to gain a good education and to take up the opportunities that we have in an industry that is one of Solomon Islands major employers.
“Our domestic shipping is a good place for women to be employed, on some of the shorter ferry routes they can leave and return on the same day,” Hon Sofu said.
The Minister said there are also opportunities in international trade and cruise liners.
“Vanuatu, for example, has an agreement with one of the major cruise shipping to employ at least 50 persons on the ships that run regularly to Vanuatu and there is no reason why we should not have a similar agreement.
“Half of the positions could be filled by seafaring women. The gender balance in Solomon Islands is weighted heavily in favor of women, so we must look to encourage as many women as possible into this industry.
“That is why the Solomon Islands Women in Maritime Association is so important to look after the interests of seafaring women,” Hon Sofu said.
