By Nakasia Logan
Forty women from indigenous communities have broken new ground after graduating from a STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) and Ship Awareness course facilitated by the AA Maritime Training Institute.
This milestone, part of the GOAL scholarship programme under the auspices of the First Lady’s Office, aims to empower women in the hinterland regions and enable them to contribute significantly to their country’s development.
The women, hailing from Regions Seven and Nine, completed a one-week intensive training that included essential courses such as elementary first aid, firefighting, personal survival techniques, ship security awareness, and emotional intelligence training.
This initiative is designed to prepare them for careers in the maritime industry, traditionally dominated by men.
First Lady Arya Ali, who played a crucial role in the programme’s success, emphasized the importance of technical training that aligns with the developmental needs of the country, especially for hinterland communities that face significant barriers to accessing such opportunities.
Mrs. Ali aims to address the significant underrepresentation of women in the labor force, particularly in sectors like oil and gas, shipping, construction, and logistics.
She highlighted the global statistics on women’s participation in these industries, noting that women make up only 2% of the global seafarer’s workforce, about 20% of the oil and gas workforce, and 23% of the transportation and logistics workforce according to the World Bank.
The First Lady urged women to strive to level the playing field despite the daunting challenges.
Miranda Thakur-Deen, Managing Director of AA Maritime & Offshore Training Institute, expressed gratitude for the partnership with the First Lady’s Foundation.
She praised the dedication of the women who completed the training and highlighted the importance of this initiative in achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
The Maritime Institute aims to train 200 women by the end of 2024, equipping them with the necessary skills and competencies for the demanding maritime and offshore industries.
So far, 60 women have been trained, with another 40 set to start their training next month.
This groundbreaking initiative not only provides technical skills and opportunities for women in the hinterland but also sets a precedent for gender equality in industries traditionally dominated by men.