As Women Ship Captains, Marine Engineers and women working in the field duties of the maritime sector, we would like to proudly share with you that we gathered in the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul, Turkey under the organization of The Chamber of Marine Engineers Turkey and SheFarers Platform on March 8, 2020 this year with the slogan "Women at Sea".
Our event, included 4 different female speakers who have accomplished the firsts in the international arena, started on Sunday, 8 March with breakfast at M/F İNCİSU boat during sailing Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey. Afterwards, “SeaThon Brainstorming” was held on the panel sessions of the speakers and then 6 different topics that covered the problems, shortcomings and solutions in the sector which women seafarers from all areas of the maritime industry encounter.
Our international speakers:
Capt. Jaquelyn Burton, Technical Manager, Harmonization Bridge and Automation Products, Kongsberg, Norway
Capt. Helle Andsbjerg, Captain, Maritime Leadership Mentor, Denmark
Eng. Nadin Said, 1st Marine & Offshore Engineer of Egypt
Saleha Shaikh, Head of Women’s Wing, The Maritime Union of India
“SeaThon Brainstorming” gathered under 6 different titles to generate ideas for better conditions for women in the maritime industry. The groups had a voice in the free stage to indicate the difficulties or problems of the given topic and to discuss their solutions. After the brainstorming is complete, team leaders gathered ideas and have given a short presentation on the topics. The final declaration of this SeaThon Brainstorming session was presented to national and international platforms in order to make a voice in the maritime industry.
Our "SeaThon Brainstorming" topics:
1. Life at sea: Maternity, social rights, women's health while working on board
2. With or without quota? Gender equality debate in maritime
3. Female cadets
4. Gender equality advocates: Men supporting women
5. Women entrepreneurship in the maritime sector
6. Mentoring, career route and employment opportunities for women seafarers
Photo: Saleha Shaikh, Head Co-ordinator, MUI-WW, The Maritime Union of India.
Saleha Shaikh's Bio:
Founder Member & Head Coordinator of the Women's Wing,
The Maritime Union of India.
Married to a Mariner for 25 years and mother to three children, Saleha has been instrumental in setting up the Women's wing, which is the Welfare Arm for Seafarers' families and designated cell for Women Seafarers at the Maritime Union of India - the only Union for Seafaring 'Officers' in India since 1939 ;
As a Community Development Facilitator, she is spearheading a Support System for Seafarers' families, which handles grievance redress, addresses harassment issues, offers guidance related to work and legal matters;
A 'Women Empowerment Coach & Wellness Trainer', Saleha conducts workshops and seminars related to Health & Wellness, Relationship Management, Personal Development, Managing Gender Bias, Leadership and Development, etc.
As a representative of MUI, Saleha is part of National Maritime Coordinating Committee which works under the aegis of the Directorate General of Shipping to execute events related to Maritime in India.
With a keen interest in Art and Design, in her leisure time, Saleha enjoys photography and soap making.