IMEC (International Maritime Employers’ Council) and The Hood have collaborated to launch a box called "Sisterhood" aimed at supporting the new generation of women mariners. The first 47 Sisterhood Boxes were donated to female students at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) in the Philippines. This project combines two complementary initiatives: IMEC's focus on the dignity and welfare of seafarers and The Hood's Sisterhood initiative to create a stronger support network for women mariners.
Challenges Facing Women in the Maritime Industry
This project hopes to spark a movement in the industry that challenges leaders to closely examine whether women have the necessary support to enter this profession. The goal of The Hood is to create a sustainable community where women mariners can connect with each other, share their experiences, and access information and support.
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Contents of the Sisterhood Box
Each box includes essential hygiene and personal care products for women, along with practical information specifically designed for women preparing to live at sea. The box also contains guides for identifying and responding to harassment, discrimination, and sexual abuse. Information on how to access support and report concerns is also provided.
The Sisterhood Box has been launched as an initiative for women seafarers in collaboration with IMEC. This partnership is based on IMEC's periodic dignity initiative for seafarers, which recognizes that access to appropriate menstrual products should be regarded as a normal welfare need and not an issue that women mariners should solve individually.
Josephine Le, CEO and founder of The Hood, said: "We talk a lot about attracting more women to the maritime industry, but bringing women into this industry is just the first step. The bigger question is whether we are creating an industry where they feel sufficiently supported to build a long-term career?"
The Sisterhood Box starts with a focus on practical needs. A woman seafarer should not have to worry about access to basic hygiene products at sea. But we also want her to know where she can turn if she feels uncomfortable, experiences harassment, or needs counseling. Most importantly, we want every woman who receives this box to understand that she is not entering this industry alone. A sisterhood is behind her."
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