Riding the Wave: Women Seafarers Surge 649% in India’s Maritime Sector Over 10 Years

India's marine industry is seeing a revolutionary wave in women's engagement, with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal disclosing a striking 649% increase in women seafarers over the last decade. As the International Day for Women in Maritime was celebrated in Mumbai, the minister revealed the Sagar Mein Samman policy, a far-reaching scheme to develop a gender-balanced seafaring workforce and enhance women's presence throughout all ranks, from piers to boards of directors.

The number of female seafarers has increased from only 341 in 2014 to 2,557 in 2024, which is a testament to the success of the sustained initiatives of the government and the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The financial support to women in the field has also increased phenomenally, with the number of beneficiaries going up from 45 to 732 between 2014-15 and 2024-25. The government's Maritime India Vision 2030 and the new Sagar Mein Samman approach prioritize empowerment, leadership, safety, skill acquisition, and removing gender barriers, with the ambitious goal of having 12% of technical maritime positions filled by women by 2030.

The ceremony honored the success of ten women achievers of the maritime sector and included leadership and equity discussions. The Sagar Mein Samman initiative supports India's adherence to the International Maritime Organisation's vision for gender empowerment and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a vow for a more inclusive and sustainable future for the country's maritime sector. 

Sources: Press Information Bureau, Sakshi Post, ANI, The Hawk