Stakeholders in the Maritime industry have identified gender inequality as one of the barriers hindering female participation in the Maritime industry.
Speaking during the annual conference of Women in Maritime Africa-Nigeria (WIMAFRICA Nigeria) with the theme "Empowering Women for Effective participation in the Maritime Sector" the Managing Director Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said Gender equality remains the only way by which women can be encouraged to take up strategic and important position in the country.
Usman who was represented by the General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communications Engr. Jatto Adams said the importance of women participation in governance cannot be over emphasized adding that a good way to start is by catching the girls young and encouraging them to go to school, she also said deliberates efforts must be put in place by government agencies to increase the tally for women in taking strategic positions in the agencies.
Usman stated that the Organisation is fully committed to the welfare of women especially those in the Maritime sub sector.
As she informed that as a way of encouraging the women the management of NPA approved 180 maternity days leave for nursing mothers in the authority.
She called on Women in all areas of endeavour to always prove their worth, as she opines that attaining a great feat in life has nothing to do with gender, but performance.
Speaking also the Director Special Duties Hajia Lami Tumaka who spoke on the role of NIMASA in promoting females leaders in the maritime sector said empowering women in the maritime sector is both germane and timely due to the important yet unrecognized roles women play in the society.
She said conscious and deliberate efforts are being made at the highest levels to create opportunities for balance in maritime industry, as she emphasize that gender inequality is still an issue in the country.
She however gave kudos to the Director General of NIMASA Dr. Dakuku Peterside who she said has done a good job of elevating women to leadership positions in the agency, adding that the high numbers of women in leadership position in the agency is not just as a result of gender equality disposition of the Director General but also because of the track record and proven competence of the women. She urged relevant agencies to take a clue from NIMASA as women are indeed critical to the success story of any organization.
In her contribution, the Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, said that the adoption of WIMA Nigeria to the maritime strategy of 2050 focused on building Africa's blue economy was apt.
Saraki represented by Hajia Aisha Musa, Director, Human resources of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) pointed out that the blue economy was an integral and evolving area of sustainable development.
She said that to achieve this, there is need to focus on providing a platform for training, capacity building, corporate and entrepreneurial development of African women in the maritime sector.
She urged women that to achieve in the industry like shipping, they are required to be steely determined and persistent in the face of daunting odds.
Speaking earlier. the President WIMAFRICA Mrs. Bola Muse urged other women to come out and take the bull by the horns, she told Shipping Position Daily that over 5, 000 Women are in the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA) where she came from but only few standing tall, she urged other women to come out and participate.
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