Mogadishu — The important role that women play in developing Somalia’s sea-based industries and the need for their greater participation was highlighted today at an event to mark the International Day for Women in Maritime.
“Today reminds us that progress must be inclusive and gender-responsive. This year’s theme (An Ocean of Opportunities for Women) reminds us that a nation cannot rise if half of its population, half of its talent, is excluded,” said Nasrin Khan, the Head of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group at the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS).
“To all the Somali women in Maritime, your leadership, vision and courage are shaping Somalia's future and inspiring the region,” she added. “You are not just part of the maritime story, you are leading it.”
In February 2023, the Federal Government of Somalia, with support of the United Nations, launched the Women in the Maritime Sector (WiMS) National Action Plan, which aims to enhance and empower Somali women in the maritime sector by increasing opportunities.
In her remarks, Ms. Khan also reiterated the commitment of the United Nations – specifically UNTMIS, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – to collaborate with the Federal Government of Somalia and international partners in fostering legal reform, security, and capacity-building for the maritime sector.
The UN official was speaking at an observance event in Mogadishu, which was attended by a range of government officials. They included the Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ahmed Hassan Aden; State Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Mohamed Abdulkadir, the Deputy Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Fartun Abdukadir; the Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hussein Ali Haji, and the Deputy Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Hanaan Bare.
Also attending were representatives from international partners, the private sector, academia, and civil society organizations, along with officials and experts from UNTMIS and UNODC's Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), both of which supported today’s observance. The GMCP is funded by the Government of Denmark.
New initiative
Jointly organised by the Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy (MFBE) and the Ministry of Ports and Marine Transport, in collaboration with the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, the event also featured the launch of a new initiative focused on empowering women through education and job creation within the maritime field.
“The government has made it its mission to develop and to extend support to women in the maritime sector by ensuring they get all the help that they need in terms of technical support to develop women in maritime because it has been recognised that women are the backbone of development in Somalia,” Minister Aden said in his remarks to the gathering.
“The Ministry of Ports and Maritime Affairs pledges to break down the barriers that prevent women from participating in maritime activities, as well as to combat any discrimination, and will work to create jobs and leadership opportunities for Somali women,” said Deputy Minister Fartun.
“The voices, talents, and aspirations of Somali women must be recognised and included in our national maritime strategy. We believe that sustainable development and gender equity go hand in hand,” said Deputy Minister Hanaan.
Awards
The gathering also recognised Somali women's contributions with the presentation of the Women in Maritime Awards to 23 individuals and one youth organisation.
Among the honourees was Salma Abdirizak Mohamud, the founder of Seacare Somalia, an organisation dedicated to preserving Somali beaches.
“One of the proudest moments in my life was when we were organising the beach clean-up campaigns. A lot of people came together to clean with us, to empower and encourage our movement. That was really an important moment in my career in founding Seacare Somalia. It makes me feel happier each day and helps me to continue with the impactful work I am doing for my nation,” said Ms. Mohamud.
Another recipient, Ikran Mohamed Abdullahi, the head of the MFBE’s human capital development department, said, “I urge women not to be discouraged and not to lose hope… women can benefit a lot in the maritime sector because it has a huge financial potential, but they will need to learn the various maritime skills.”
UN and women in maritime
Somalia has the longest coastline in mainland Africa, stretching more than 3,333 kilometres along the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, and is widely considered to have an enormous economic potential. Despite this potential, there is a significant shortage of marine expertise due to poor educational and institutional capability. Furthermore, gender inequality prevails, depriving Somali women and girls of essential rights and opportunities such as access to marine education and economic participation.
The International Day for Women in Maritime is celebrated annually around the world on 18 May.
Established by IMO in 2021, the occasion aims to highlight the achievements and contributions of women in the maritime industry, which has historically been male-dominated. The day seeks to address that imbalance through recognition and support of women's contributions. In Somalia, UNTMIS and UNODC have been working alongside the government and partners to support the WiMS initiative since its launch. The initiative has created a space for Somali women to lead, contribute, and innovate through tailored capacity-building, policy engagement, and awareness campaigns across various federal and regional institutions.
