Maria Mavroudi’s* statement on IMO’s International Day for Women in Maritime
Sometimes, heroes go unnoticed. Today, we salute all those women pioneers, seafarers, and executives, who work silently, focus on their goals, are deeply passionate about pursuing their dreams, and challenge the status quo in a very demanding industry, like Shipping. Women leaders from all around the globe, who create breakthroughs across a male-dominated industry.
Women and men alike are subject to gendered role expectations that force them into boxes. We need to realize that gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable economy and business environment. And it is beyond doubt that women offer and yet have a lot to offer to the Shipping Industry.
Their determination, passion, and perseverance to bring new ideas into Shipping, disrupt business models, break industry norms, create value and coach the next generation of innovators do make a difference. Thus it is important as an industry to take action to actively empower women free of gender, cultural, structural, and societal obstacles, to achieve a sustainable and healthy operating model in Shipping.
Recently, we saw the Union of Greek Shipowners to elect its first female president in its 106-year history; an IG P&I Club to pass the helm from an inspiring man to a very capable and forward-thinking woman; the first woman to chair the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association, Helmepa and also the largest publicly listed shipping company in the US. It is in the benefit of the Shipping Industry to keep this momentum going and I sincerely hope to see more insurance and broking companies following.
Today, on the occasion of IMO’s International Day for Women in Maritime, I take the opportunity to quote the wise words of an inspiring woman-leader and entrepreneur, Cristina Junqueira:
“I want my daughters to grow up in a world where they can dream of being whoever they want to be—and you can’t dream of what you can’t see.”
(Cristina Junqueira, Nubank co-founder: Brazil’s Wonder Woman of fintech,” Capital Finance International, October 26, 2020)
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*Maria Mavroudi, Founding Partner, at Searock Marine Insurance Brokers, co-founder of Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel and WISTA Hellas member
