Think equal, build smart, innovate for change

This is the theme of International Women’s Day 2019..

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world as a day when women are recognized for their achievements irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, language, culture, social status or political allegiances..

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities..

The UN’s theme Think equal, build smart, innovate for change focuses on innovative ways in which we can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure..

Just a bit of background on International Women’s Day

IWD first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe and since then IWD has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike..

The Charter of the United Nations, signed in 1945, was the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men.. Since then, the UN has helped create a historic legacy of internationally agreed strategies, standards, programmes and goals to advance the status of women worldwide..

The world of shipping and freight is one of the fields (at least on the shore side for now) where I have the privilege of working with several women who have been outstanding in their individual areas of work..

Whether it is in the areas of marketing & sales, customer service, documentation, project cargoes, ship capacity management, stowage planning, husbandry, finance, women have and are making it a level playing field..

I am proud to say that 42% of my readers are women and that is a good split in any forum.. 🙂 

Of course, it is not enough that we nominate one day in a year to celebrate what women have achieved and forget about it for the rest of the year..

This year, IMO’s Maritime Day theme is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”..

So, join me in making pledge for a #BalanceforBetter and create a better gender balance in the industry and work towards achieving it..

Wishing all my women readers power, strength and courage to handle all the ideals you believe in and thank you for making the world a better place..