HEMISPERIC SEMINAR: CHALLENGES OF WOMEN IN PORTS IN THE XXI CENTURY Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 17 th – 21 st AUGUST 2009

PRESENTER: Mysline Valerie COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA

TOPIC: PROPOSAL FOR A HEMISPHERIC NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL C00PERATION OF WOMEN IN PORTS

INTRODUCTION Women in the Port Sector Issues that they are confronted with

PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION

To obtain information of the work environment at the ports How women are treated on the job What opportunities are available to them To what extent they participate in their port affairs National port policies/laws Domestic laws

To identify training needs of women in ports Equal access to training Women involvement in Technical Training Special training programmes for women at Tertiary Level

To encourage the exchange of information, knowledge,technology among women of ports

To promote exchange visits for the women between ports

To examine recruitment policy in ports Employment opportunity at ports for women Women in the technical areas of the port The impact of tradition, customs, practices on employment of women in ports

To develop local organizations of port women To promote participation of women in ports Educate women about choosing type of employment Research on employment conditions of women at ports Strengthening of women employed at ports

SITUATION ANALYSIS (DOMINICA) Improvement in participation of women at the port National laws and Port policies support equality of women at the port

DOMINICA AIR & SEAPORTS AUTHORITY Women are employed in these various departments : Administration Finance Operations Air Traffic Control Security Marine (soon to have 1 woman)

There has been a marked increase in women at managerial level at DASPA Operations Manager on the job WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT POSITION YEAR STARTED IN POSITION Accountant2001 Human Resource Manager 2006 Airport Managers (2) 2007 Operations Manager 2009

Opportunities are provided for all levels of employees at the various departments Supervisor of the Finance Dept. with Staff of the Maintenance Dept. Managers at an Informal meeting with staff of the Operations Dept.

CONCLUSION Legislative and development action Equal opportunities for women Women should be competent on the job Empowerment through education and training