Careers at Sea - Why Very Few Women?
Societal norms and myths, the real reason very few women work at sea?
Compared to their male counterparts, women have always received the short end of the stick. “Oh it is a man’s world” This job is not for girls” “Sit and be pretty! Let us do the work” These words have become so mundane and echoes throughout the four walls of the world.
In the past, many believed that it was against societal norms for women to work. Throughout centuries women were portrayed as delicate beings, likely to collapse in the face of difficulties. Society believed they did not belong in the workforce, instead they belonged at home raising their families and doing the house chores. This made it difficult for women to pursue any …show more content…
Careers at sea are usually difficult and one needs to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared before choosing this as a profession. The belief is that women are fragile in nature and might not have the strength and courage required to pursue a career at sea. Many women are also afraid that they will face physical, verbal and sexual harassments from male coworkers. Women who actually take up this profession sometimes get very little encouragement. Their capability to do the job is often questioned and they are always pushed hard to prove their worth.
The truth is that, companies that hire women seafarers have strict policies that protect and safeguard the rights and identity of these women. They have complaint procedures for any one suffering from any kind of abuse onboard. Few maritime unions and organizations are also making concerted effort to tackle these issues. For example WISTA, ILO and ITF. All these organizations are working to promote decent work for all women seafarers. Therefore, any woman seafarer facing such discrimination must contact their trade union for support and advice. Companies should develop sexual harassment policies and appropriate training, including within cadet training and education. They should give equal opportunities to both male and female seafarers, promote gender equality and empower women. …show more content…
Therefore, it is important to create a suitable environment that will make it easier for them to pursue and achieve their dreams.
Finding a Balance between Work and Family
This still balls down to societal values. Social pressure and traditional family responsibilities forces women to choose land based jobs over sea jobs.
The belief is that being on-board for several months away from family does not satisfy the social role of a woman. Some men would not marry a woman who works on a ship and even parents disapprove of their daughters taking up such professions. The fact that there are very few available options to balance family commitments with work makes it even harder.
Maternity Issues
Maternity has been reported as an objective problem faced by women seafarers and one which makes shipping companies consider them as “Labor force with a sell-by date”. Employers consider investment in women seafarers as a short term one because of their tendency to leave the profession (marriage and maternity). Some companies don’t hire women seafarers at all because of this same reason.
Measures should be put in place to retain and encourage female employees to return to work after
Societal norms and myths, the real reason very few women work at sea?
Compared to their male counterparts, women have always received the short end of the stick. “Oh it is a man’s world” This job is not for girls” “Sit and be pretty! Let us do the work” These words have become so mundane and echoes throughout the four walls of the world.
In the past, many believed that it was against societal norms for women to work. Throughout centuries women were portrayed as delicate beings, likely to collapse in the face of difficulties. Society believed they did not belong in the workforce, instead they belonged at home raising their families and doing the house chores. This made it difficult for women to pursue any …show more content…
Careers at sea are usually difficult and one needs to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared before choosing this as a profession. The belief is that women are fragile in nature and might not have the strength and courage required to pursue a career at sea. Many women are also afraid that they will face physical, verbal and sexual harassments from male coworkers. Women who actually take up this profession sometimes get very little encouragement. Their capability to do the job is often questioned and they are always pushed hard to prove their worth.
The truth is that, companies that hire women seafarers have strict policies that protect and safeguard the rights and identity of these women. They have complaint procedures for any one suffering from any kind of abuse onboard. Few maritime unions and organizations are also making concerted effort to tackle these issues. For example WISTA, ILO and ITF. All these organizations are working to promote decent work for all women seafarers. Therefore, any woman seafarer facing such discrimination must contact their trade union for support and advice. Companies should develop sexual harassment policies and appropriate training, including within cadet training and education. They should give equal opportunities to both male and female seafarers, promote gender equality and empower women. …show more content…
Therefore, it is important to create a suitable environment that will make it easier for them to pursue and achieve their dreams.
Finding a Balance between Work and Family
This still balls down to societal values. Social pressure and traditional family responsibilities forces women to choose land based jobs over sea jobs.
The belief is that being on-board for several months away from family does not satisfy the social role of a woman. Some men would not marry a woman who works on a ship and even parents disapprove of their daughters taking up such professions. The fact that there are very few available options to balance family commitments with work makes it even harder.
Maternity Issues
Maternity has been reported as an objective problem faced by women seafarers and one which makes shipping companies consider them as “Labor force with a sell-by date”. Employers consider investment in women seafarers as a short term one because of their tendency to leave the profession (marriage and maternity). Some companies don’t hire women seafarers at all because of this same reason.
Measures should be put in place to retain and encourage female employees to return to work after