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WiMAC MAKING WAVES

Women in Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC) Conference held in October 16th -19th, 2018, in Belize City hosted by the Belize Maritime Authority and International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize Facilitated by the International Maritime Organization. The conference’s theme was “Charting the Course for Generations of Women”. The representatives from St. Kitts and Nevis were Tricia Greaux-Department of Marine Resources and Tamica Lawrence- Ministry of Tourism Nevis.

The welcome remarks included “promoting maritime sector across the region by increasing our network and improving by sharing of ideas”.  Mr. Claudia Grant outgoing WiMAC President gave an overview of WiMAC’s goals, mission and vision to sustain the maritime sector. Ms. Helen Buni, IMO Technical Cooperation Division spoke about the inclusion of maritime education in the secondary schools within Belize and highlighting the launch of Women in Maritime logo. Hon. Tracy Taegar Panton encouraging and inspiring speech “continue to sustain the agitation of the systemic barriers”  “access to training and development programs in this global industry as there is only 2% of women in the seafaring workforce” “how we go about achieving the end goal is just as important as the achievement itself”.

Plenary convened with a presentation by Ms. Diane Quarless, ECLAC sub regional headquarters for the Caribbean, entitled “An integrated agenda for the economic and professional empowerment of women in the Caribbean maritime sector”.  Next, “Gender Equality” by Professor Opal Adisa, Gender and Development Studies, UWI and finally “Decent Work and Economic Growth, The ABC of women worker’s rights and gender equality- a case study for the maritime sector” by Ms. Claudia Coenjaert, ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean.

Positioning for Professional Advancement Presentations were conducted by Sarita Mahabir-Lee -Maritime and Ocean Studies, UTT and Jennifer Nugent-Hill- Governmental and Community Affairs, Tropical Shipping. The work of IMO in the Caribbean Mr Colin Young – IMO Regional Maritime Adviser, IMO Women in Development Programme Ms. Helen Buni and Opportunities for Professional Development Dr. Momoko Kitada – World Maritime University.

The mentorship model for WiMAC, Integrating a role for WiMAC for the advancement of the women on the Caribbean maritime sector, an integrating session for sharing, learning and networking. Country presentations by Liaisons to track the status of the implementation of the SDGs with special emphasis on SDGs 4, 5, 8, and 14. The concluding presentation was themed “Nurturing for Sustainability” – the discussions resolved around conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources. The new Governing Council was also voted into office. The Belizean Port Authority hosted a field trip to Altun Ha Archaeological Reserve for the participants.

A St. Kitts and Nevis WiMAC Chapter is on the horizon to be launched, we hope we get the support of the community in this venture.

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WIMAC has a voice on Ocean Matters

Members of the Women In Maritime Association Caribbean (WIMAC) from across the region represented at the first regional workshop on Climate Change Mitigation in Maritime Sector for MTCC Caribbean (Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre) and The Global MTCC Network (GMN) with support from the European Union (EU), International Maritime Organization (IMO) was hosted at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)  from June 27-28, 2017.

The WIMAC ladies and gentlemen also attended the inaugural “Enhancing Ocean Governance in the Caribbean Region”  symposium from June 29-30, 2017. Which was hosted the Marine Studies of the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, and Well Services Petroleum Company Ltd. Both conferences had participants from 12 territories across the region.

Back Row (Left to Right): Suzette Balkaran, Deniece Aiken, Tricia Greaux, April Peters, Katarina McGhee, Colin Young, Kassandra George, Adanna Bonas, Jillianjoy Davis

Front Row (Left to Right): Tajae Harripersad, Francisca Reece, Sarita Mahabir-Lee, Jacqueline Blackman, Vivian Rambarath-Parasram, Kamara Lambert, Thecla Joseph, Anushka Alleng

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Women of St.Kitts and Nevis represented at WiMAC Conference

The Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis was represented at the Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean (WiMAC) conference “Charting the course for generations of women” held in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands from 5th to 9th September, 2016. Among the seventy five delegates were Tricia Greaux -Department of Marine Resources and Thema Ward – Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Environment Nevis representing St.Kitts and Nevis.

The conference was held in collaboration with the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).  The conference focused on current an d emerging development trends that are impacting different areas and sub-sectors in the maritime sphere in the context of women’s rights and access. While also providing a forum for the exchanging of experiences and best practices amongst maritime women of the region and for the participants to benefit from global experiences and advancements from a range of strategic partner agencies that can be used to form gender-sensitive standards and strategic directions. One of the conference activities included WiMAC executive and members visited school to sensitize the young girls of the Cayman Islands about careers in the maritime sector.

The Department of Maritime Affairs was instrumental in assisting Ms Greaux and Ms Ward to deliver a presentation outlining the maritime sector of St. Kitts-Nevis.  Ms Ward now serves as St.Kitts and Nevis Liaison for WiMAC and Ms Greaux as the Alternate Liaison. They have been commissioned to charter a WiMAC Chapter for St.Kitts and Nevis.

IMO, through its gender and capacity-building programme SDG 5: Strengthening the maritime sector, will provide support to women managers in the maritime and port sectors of the Caribbean with a view to; strengthening WiMAC’s regional cooperation network,  further develop the viability of the Caribbean maritime system, the role and contribution of women to the maritime sector, contribute to the implementation of IMO instruments throughout the regional, and increase career development and advanced training opportunities.

For more information on the Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean (WiMAC) see website link below http://www.wimacaribbean.com/.

 

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