March 03, 2026
The Seafarers' Charity celebrates International Women’s Day 2026!
On International Women’s Day 2026, we celebrate the invaluable contribution of women across the maritime industry and reaffirm our commitment to advancing equity, safety and wellbeing for women at sea.
Seafaring remains a male-dominated profession, with women representing just a small fraction of the global maritime workforce. Despite this, women play a vital role across shipping, ports, fishing, cruise, yachting and maritime services. At The Seafarers’ Charity, we believe that the welfare and support needs of women working at sea are just as important as those of their male colleagues and should never be overlooked or neglected because they are in the minority.
Understanding the realities women face at sea
Research consistently highlights the challenges faced by women working in male-dominated environments at sea. Women represent just over one per cent of the global seafarer workforce, with the majority employed in the cruise and yachting sectors and very few serving on cargo vessels.
In response to this, we funded research by the Seafarers’ International Research Centre at Cardiff University to explore the real-life experiences of women working onboard cargo ships. Using the voices and lived experiences of women seafarers, the research revealed how exclusion, isolation, and fears around harassment and sexual violence continue to affect women at sea, underscoring the urgent need for targeted welfare and support.
Making a tangible difference through funded initiatives
We are proud to fund and support a wide range of initiatives designed to improve safety, wellbeing and equity for women working at sea, including:
- Women in Transport Equity Index: Tracking gender diversity and equity across the transport sector to inform action and drive progress.
- ISWAN’s Allyship Campaign: A global initiative encouraging male seafarers to become allies in creating safer environments at sea by addressing abuse, harassment and violence.
- Safer Waves: Providing specialist support and information for merchant seafarers who have experienced sexual violence or gender discrimination.
- Salute Her UK: Offering trauma-informed counselling and therapy for women in the merchant navy and commercial fishing sectors.
- Seafarers Hospital Society’s Feminine Hygiene Project: Ensuring access to menstrual hygiene products for female seafarers during long sea-going contracts.
- Sailors’ Society’s Peer-to-Peer Support Groups: Creating safe, women-only spaces for connection, shared experience and mutual support.
- UK Women in Fisheries: Supporting women working both at sea and ashore within the fishing industry.
- Research at The Seafarers’ International Research Centre at Cardiff University: Investigating the lived experiences of women onboard male-dominated cargo ships to inform better welfare provision.
Together, these initiatives are helping to break down barriers, foster community and drive meaningful change across the maritime industry.
As we celebrate International Women's Day, we are honoured to share inspiring insights from our women Trustees:
Debbie Cavaldoro
Every industry needs diversity of thought, and that can only come through employing people with different experiences, different backgrounds, and different personalities. If you put the same in, you get the same out. And in today’s world, standing still is going backwards, so diversity is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it’s essential for ongoing business success.
Everyone can achieve anything, and it's important to encourage people to get out of their own way. If a gobby Essex girl who left school after GCSEs can become a CEO, then what’s stopping anyone else!
I’m not the only female in the room nearly as often as I used to be. At the last LISW event at Mansion House, it was absolutely packed with women and we had an absolute blast together before being thrown out by security because literally everyone else had left the building! It’s our time.
Monica Kohli OBE
When I started in maritime in the last century – I used to be one of a handful of women among a sea of black suits at maritime events. When I walked into meetings it was rare to see another woman in the room. However, in the last few years, I have seen a sea change in the industry.
Now, not only do I see young women in the crowd, but I see them loud and confident and vocal. They are present and make themselves heard.
I would like to think that the work of generations of women in demanding a voice in the industry is now bearing fruit as we see women in the industry not just in entry roles, and mid-management, but also shattering the glass ceiling in various sectors. And we all still have a role to play in being visible role models for different aspects of maritime.
Natalie Shaw MBE
Reflecting on my journey in the maritime sector, I've witnessed a notable shift towards greater inclusion of women. Organisations are increasingly recognising the value that women bring to the table, not only in terms of their skills and expertise but also their unique perspectives. This inclusion has led to more diverse teams, enhanced collaboration, and ultimately, better outcomes for the industry as a whole. However, there's still work to be done to ensure that all women have equal opportunities to thrive in maritime careers.
Driving change across the maritime sector
Our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, serves as Chair of Maritime UK’s Women in Maritime Network. In this role, she works alongside industry leaders to drive meaningful change, particularly by increasing female representation in senior roles across shipping, ports, marine and business services. Leadership, collaboration and evidence-based action are essential to creating lasting change and we are proud to play an active role in shaping a more inclusive maritime sector.
Our ongoing commitment
At The Seafarers’ Charity, our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is central to our work. By funding research, supporting frontline initiatives and collaborating across the sector, we are working to ensure that women at sea are safer, better supported and empowered to thrive in their careers.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate progress, but we also recognise that there is more to do. We remain committed to creating a maritime industry where everyone, regardless of gender, can work with dignity, safety and opportunity.
