1. Think Maritime, Think Women
MAINSTREAMING WOMEN IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY

2. BACKGROUND
The Association for women working in the Maritime sector in Eastern and Southern Africa Region (WOMESA)
Regional organization under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Women in Development (WID) Programme.
WOMESA Kenya was launched on 26th March 2010 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Women in Development (WID) Programme. WOMESA Kenya has got 162 members, 22members being drawn from KMA, 72 members from KPA and others from Kenya Ferry Services ,KRA, Transport companies, ITF, KenTrade and Shipping Agents.

3. WOMESA MEMBERSHIP IN REGION
Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Madagascar ,Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Eritrea, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan, DRC, Kenya
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Swaziland, Angola, Botswana, Comoros

4. WOMESA MEMBERSHIP IN KENYA
Kenya Ports Authority,
Kenya Maritime Authority,
Shipping Agencies,
Kenya Revenue Authority,
Clearing and Forwarding,
Insurance,
Marine Surveyors,
Railways,
Regional Agencies- PMAESA,
Maritime Lawyers
Govt officers
IMO Rep.
Maritime Training Institutions

5. STATISTICS OF WOMEN IN THE MARITIME SECTOR
Glum statistics as women represent ;
1 to 2 per cent of the world's 1.25 million seafarers. (ITF).In the cruise line sector, they represent 17-18% of the workforce.
94% per cent of women are employed on passenger ships (with 68% on ferries and 26% on cruise ships).
6% are employed on cargo vessels (i.e. container ships, and oil tankers, amongst others).

6. MEASURES TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN THE MARITIME SECTOR
Policies that foster the advancement and empowerment of women is UN agenda and its specialized agencies
SDG Agenda 5- Gender Equity
The IMO program on the Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector, has made a concerted effort to help women achieve a representation within it that is more in keeping with twenty-first century expectations.

7. NEXT STEPS
Best practices for increasing women’s participation include deployment of gender-balanced units (Example peacekeeping)
a whole-of-government approach to the maritime security sector
more intentional solicitation of the input of women

8. Why? – Opportunities that the Association bestows to Society
WOMESA
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

9. Why? – Opportunities that the Association bestows on Members
Scholarship opportunities
Regional harmonization
Mentorship

10. OTHER MARITIME ORGANISATIONS IN THE REGION
IAPH: international Association of Ports and Harbours – in Africa
Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Côte d' Ivoire, Djibouti,
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania , Togo, Egypt.
(WISTA)Women's International Shipping & Trading Association  -international organization for women in management positions involved in maritime transportation business and related trades worldwide.

11. CONCLUSION
To assist in mentoring programs for lower cadre female managers by senior managers
To advocate for more exposure of women managers in maritime to professional fields
To share information on opportunities on how women contribute more in mainstream maritime
To have a global maritime family-network
"Empowering Women in the Maritime Community" is the World Maritime Day theme for 2019.