Important Days📖 2 min read

International Day for Women in Maritime 2024: Union Minister Sonowal Highlights Role of Women Seafarers

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal acknowledged the contributions of women in the maritime sector.

Source: GNews World Day
Summary of News

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal extended greetings on the International Day for Women in Maritime. He praised the dedication and hard work of women seafarers, highlighting their crucial role in the global maritime industry. The day aims to promote the recruitment, retention, and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector. It also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in this traditionally male-dominated field. This initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.

Key Points for Exam
  • The International Day for Women in Maritime is observed annually on May 18.
  • The day was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2021.
  • Its primary goal is to increase the visibility of women in the maritime industry.
  • The theme for 2024 was 'Mobilizing networks for gender equality'.
  • Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal holds the portfolio for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Important Keywords Explained
International Maritime Organization (IMO)organization

The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping. It was established in 1948 and is headquartered in London, UK. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for shipping, addressing safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical cooperation, security, and efficiency.

Sarbananda Sonowalperson

Sarbananda Sonowal is an Indian politician who currently serves as the Union Cabinet Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Minister of Ayush. He previously served as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam from 2016 to 2021. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Women in Maritimeconcept

This refers to the role and presence of women across all segments of the maritime industry, including seafarers, port workers, maritime administrators, and shore-based personnel. Efforts are ongoing globally to increase their representation and ensure gender equality in the sector.

Additional Facts & Context
1Women represent only 1.2% of the global seafarer workforce, according to a 2021 IMO-WISTA study.
2The IMO adopted a resolution in 2021 to establish the International Day for Women in Maritime.
3India has been actively promoting women's participation in the maritime sector through various initiatives.
4The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways launched the 'Maritime India Vision 2030' which includes provisions for gender diversity.
Examiner's Tip

Exams often test the dates of important international days, their themes, and the organizations responsible for their observance. Knowledge of relevant government ministers is also important.

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Memory Trick

Remember 'Maritime May 18'. Both 'Maritime' and 'May' start with 'M', and '18' can be linked to 'eighteen' for women's empowerment.

Connected Concepts / Topics
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