Seafaring as an occupation, and the maritime community as a whole, has been recognized as traditionally a male-dominated industry. To encourage more women to engage in a career at sea and in the maritime sector, several campaigns have been launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other various stakeholders.  In 2020 the IMO issued a Resolution strongly encouraging Member States and Administrations to collect, consolidate, and analyze data on female participation to track and quantify progress in achieving a barrier-free environment, increasing participation, and empowering women who would like to join and succeed in the male-dominated maritime industry.

In general, the study aimed to get a first snapshot of the profile of Filipino women working in the maritime industry.  Specifically, it sought to determine the distribution of those working in shore-based and seafaring fields; from support to management/executive level positions they occupy; and, identify gender-related employment challenges encountered by women seafarers and the policies and practices to promote gender equality adopted by the maritime industry.

 The research is descriptive.  Convenience sampling was adopted. Data collection was through the conduct of a survey to gather individual women seafarers' data and industry data. The survey was administered both online and by physically administering the questionnaire. All data were anonymized and aggregated to produce the report in line with the objectives of the study.

Results of the study affirm the participation of Filipino women in shipboard positions or capacities is still a minority, consistent with global figures. Filipino women’s seafaring jobs are mostly in Steward/Catering Department. Respondents expressed gender discrimination at work, in promotion, during cadetship, and in training. In the industry survey, results reveal that less than half of shipping companies/crewing agencies adopt a formal policy on gender equality. The participation of women in shipping and crewing management is also of a minority number in general, as well as in the board, middle management, and support levels; although women’s participation is in the majority for core roles. The women in C-suite or senior management level positions share around 11% of the total employees in crewing and shipping.

         Recommendations of the study cover areas for action by all industry stakeholders such as crewing/shipping, government, maritime education & training institutions, and maritime organizations/associations.