This landmark book is the first to focus on contemporary women seafarers at a global level. It addresses a host of issues surrounding the working conditions and welfare of women, from both developed and developing countries, employed aboard the world’s merchant and passenger ships. Drawing on extensive research commissioned by the ILO, the book considers women’s participation levels in the industry, and examines policies concerning their recruitment, training, maternity and employment rights, and and other aspects of work and life at sea. It also offers first-hand accounts from women seafarers describing how they have dealt with discrimination, sexual harassment, parental disapproval and an array of other difficulties.

Women’s employment in the industry has multiple dimensions, and this book provides the historical background and presents recent findings on female participation rates. The study examines the practices and policies of national and international regulatory agencies, employers, trade unions, and maritime education institutions. A series of recommendations that may further help the integration of women into shipboard communities is included.

KEY FEATURES:

• First book of its kind to focus on women seafarers at a global level
• Contains useful appendices for cross-referencing with the text
• Covers women’s employment in both developing and developed countries
• Offers details of actual experiences of women seafarers
• Focuses on policies regarding recruitment, training, maternity leave

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of figures
Foreword

Chapter 1. Introduction

• Objectives
• Methodology

Chapter 2. Background

• The historical presence of women seafarers
• Focus on recruitment
• Focus on gender

Chapter 3. Women Seafarers’ Participation in World Shipping

• Numbers and distribution
• Position in the ship’s hierarchy
• Age profile (hotel)
• Summary

Chapter 4. The Maritime Industry: Policies and Practices

• Introduction
• International organizations
• International maritime organizations
• International Labour Organization
• Governments
• Employers
• Employers organizations
• Trade unions
• Individual unions
• International Transport Workers Federation
• Maritime education and training (MET) institutions
• Policy
• “Appropriate” courses for women
• Performance
• Women within MET institutions
• Prospects in the labour market
• Future enrolment of women
• Summary

Chapter 5. Policies in Practice: The Experiences of Women Seafarers

• Early experiences of a maritime career
• Motivation of choosing a seafaring career
• Family support
• Access to maritime education and professional training
• Working aboard ship
• Acceptance on board
• Equal opportunities and promotion
• Social relationships
• Sexual harassment
• Menstruation
• Contraception, conception, and general medical health
• Summary

Chapter 6. Conclusions and Recommendations

• Women in the workforce
• Policies and practices relating to the employment of women
• Recommendations:
• ILO/Trade Unions
• Companies
• Companies/Trade Unions
• Companies/Trade Unions/ILO
• Companies/Trade Unions/ILO/Training Institutions
• Training Institutions/Trade Unions/ILO/Trade and Employer Associations
• Registries
• Recommendations for further research
• References
• Appendices