Accessibility.SkipToMainContent
Equality

Equality is essential for solving economic problems

9 March 2020

Nautilus International has supported International Women's Day with a digital lunch connecting staff across three branches where they reflected on gender equality progress in maritime.

Staff in the Northern, Dutch and London offices used video links to celebrate women seafarers' achievements as well as contemplating further action required on wider equality issues.

Nautilus executive officer Sascha Meijer drew attention to this year's United Nation's theme of Generation Equality and reflected on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 190 against violence and harassment introduced in 2019, which has yet to be ratified by the Netherlands or the UK.

'Equality is essential for solving economic problems for our communities,' said Ms Meijer. 'Equality is about gender equal workplaces, gender equal boardrooms, gender equal governments, gender equal media coverage and sports coverage, and more gender equality and health.'

In maritime it was also still clear that 'inclusiveness still cannot get mainstream', commented Ms Meijer. 'Many of our female members say they have to work harder than men to achieve promotions and to be respected.'

Other issues that Nautilus is campaigning for on behalf of female members include the free provision and disposal of sanitary products onboard vessels.

The union is also campaigning for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) onboard vessels to be available in shapes and sizes to suit female physiques.

ILO 190 is an important step towards enforcing inclusive and safe workplaces, and Nautilus is continuing to work on this with ship owners and masters to insist on gender equality and inclusion.

The union fights for equality and social justice for all maritime professionals, rather than just one gender, emphasised Ms Meijer.


Tags

More articles

Careers

New campaign aims to inspire girls to choose maritime and STEM careers

  • News
  • 09 March 2020
Health and safety

Unions back ILO Convention against violence and harassment

  • News
  • 09 March 2020
Careers

Seeing sea careers in National Careers Week

  • News
  • 03 March 2020
Members at work

Keeping 'big engines' in good running order is in the blood for third engineer Shannon Gray

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Captain Barbara Charlton maintains an even course over 17 years of ship handling

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

First officer Pip Whalley is proud to be helping develop the world's energy resources

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Superyacht first officer Lindsey Jessop talks polar bear lookouts and the growing need for Unlimited tickets

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Marine engineering cadet Sarah Hartley-Rudd on ticking Australia off her bucket list

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

A life at sea or family – third officer Santa Tetere signals the way

  • Telegraph
  • 02 March 2020
Members at work

Former radio officer/ETO Rose King recalls her career at sea

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Dynamic positioning officer Karley Smith sees a career heading in many interesting directions

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Cruiseship first officer Jennie Doyle's career highlight was sailing in the wake of her Antarctic heroes

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Second officer/DPO Heather Enness tells what it is like to be a 'mummy at sea'

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Former first officer Hazel Sivori talks transitioning ashore to research maritime technology

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Third officer Ellie Johnson offers insights for 'summoning strength from within' to break down barriers at sea

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Second officer Cora Bonham talks perseverance and deep sea voyages

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Lawyer Chaynee Hodgetts rates her transition from ship to shore for a life of maritime academia

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Mentoring is close to the heart of tallships sail training master Carolyn Vincent

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Pay attention to equality 'basics' to encourage more women at sea, says ETO cadet Catherine Caseman

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Third officer Alix McDermott talks life at sea on product tankers

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Nautilus council member and ferry sector third officer Sam Belfitt talks career opportunities

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Yacht skipper Lungi Mchunu recalls her milestone moment as the first African woman to sail to the Arctic

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020
Members at work

Tallships master Barbara Campbell talks sail training thrills

  • Telegraph
  • 06 March 2020

Become a Nautilus member today