President WIMA-Nigeria, Rollens Macfoy
AJOKE PHILIP
The President, Women In Marítime, Nigeria, Rollens Macfoy, has bemoaned poor representation of women in the nation’s maritime sector.
Macfoy, who stated this against the backdrop of the celebration of the International Women’s Day (IWD), titled, Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress & Inspire Inclusion,’ disclosed that less than 2 percent of women professionals are employed in the marítime industry.
According to the Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Deep Service, thousand of professionally qualified Maritime Women are roaming the streets without employment because they are women.
“We use this opportunity of 2024 IWD celebration to appeal to the Captains of industry in Nigeria to be intentional in the employment, proper placement and promotion of women in the industry. We also use this opportunity to appeal to the House of Representatives and the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to expressly recognize this association and her aims and objectives.
“We area also pleading that they should create and make space for women in this industry, especially in the technical aspect because it is is appalling and very regrettable to know that less than 2% of women professionals are employed in the nation Marítime sector while thousands of professionally qualified Maritime women are out there roaming the streets with no one to employ them because they are women. Emphasis here is on the female Seafarers and the technical experts as it is termed that maritme is only for men.”
Macfoy, however, charged the minister and the national assembly to address inequality in the in the sector.
“We, therefore, appeal to the House Representatives, NIMASA and the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, to look into this and create equality in this regard. This is why we say that this year’s theme is very inspiring and comforting to women in the maritme industry.
“It is worthy of note, however, that WIMA-NIGERIA, is an embodiment of women professionals in the industry with time tested experience on assignments in areas of Maritime/Admiralty law, Crew Management, Maritme logistics & chain supply, Ship Chandelling, Shipping operations, Vessel Owners, jetty and container terminal owners.
“We also have specialists in Maritime Arbitration, Maritime trainings, vessel captains & chief Engineers, specialist also in Cabotage and Maritime Labour mediation and ship registry, as well as Maritime Consultancy. These are rooted technocrats desire to unleash their potential & shatter the glass ceiling after having studied in the world best universities and maritime schools.
“We are not beggars but adding great value to the Nigerian maritime industry and world economy at large. As we all know that shipping & Maritme today houses about 90% of the world’s economy, therefore, this employment request is our civic, economic and legal right which should be an inclusion in world employment industry.
Lastly, we, therefore, urged Nigerian government, Maritime authorities and the world at large to rise to the great challenge and join United Nations to encouraged women to greater heights & celebrate women in totality, Macfoy stated.