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 5^th to 9^th 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/.