On November 7, 2024, WISTA UK held an exclusive and impactful event at the House of Lords, bringing together leaders, change-makers, and professionals of all ages, genders and segments from the maritime industry to celebrate the strides women have made in a traditionally male-dominated sector and discuss the continued efforts needed to create a more inclusive future.
The event was hosted in the iconic surroundings of the House of Lords in London. WISTA UK has long championed gender diversity, inclusion and professional development in the sector. This event was an important milestone in their mission to support and inspire women at all levels of the maritime industry.
Empowering women in the maritime industry
The event was sponsored by Lord Mountevans( Jeffrey), who also welcomed all guests, reiterating his support for WISTA. As a member of the House of Lords and a long-time advocate for gender equality, Lord Mountevans remarks resonated with the audience, emphasizing the importance of allyship.
The event also featured inspiring stories from women working at the forefront of the maritime industry, sharing personal journeys and the challenges they’ve faced and overcome. This served as a powerful reminder that there is no limit to what women can achieve in this space when given the right tools, mentorship and opportunities.
The first panel was hosted by Sue Terpilowski OBE, who is the past president of WISTA UK, where she brought together industry professionals, founders of WISTA and the President of WISTA International Elpi Petraki. The panel discussed their journeys in the sector, the way the industry looked at women’s roles, the current opportunities, and challenges in the maritime sector and the changes over the past 50 years.
The second panel was hosted by Helen Kelly, Director of communications, Campaigns and Digital at Nautilus International and was joined by female seafarers Third Officer at DFDS Scarlett Barnett-Smith, Director Maritime Standards at Carnival Corporation at Captain Louise Sara, and Master Mariners Ann Pletschke and Heather Enness. The panel leaned into the issues leading to a lack of representation in the industry, seafarer’s rights from a female perspective, sharing personal experiences, the impact of national and international laws, as well as workplace challenges, ensuring fair wages and improving working conditions for all seafarers. They also touched on the issues of workplace harassment and bullying on board ships.
Networking and knowledge sharing
Beyond speeches, the event provided a valuable platform for networking. Attendees had the chance to meet with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and discuss ways to accelerate change in an industry still grappling with gender imbalance.
Conversations around mentorship, leadership development, and the importance of creating accessible career paths for women were central to the day. Participants explored the role that male allies play in creating a more inclusive environment and how collective action can drive long-term cultural change in the maritime industry.
WISTA UK President Monica Kohli also spoke about the ongoing efforts of the association to support its members, foster leadership, and provide career advancement opportunities. Her address highlighted the importance of building a sustainable and diverse workforce, encouraging everyone to continue pushing for tangible improvements in gender parity across maritime.
Looking ahead: more progress, more action
This event was not just a celebration of progress but a call to action. Attendees left with a renewed sense of commitment to fostering gender diversity, enhancing leadership opportunities for women, and ensuring that maritime remains an open and inclusive space for all.
WISTA UK’s role in this transformative journey cannot be overstated. As an organisation, they continue to build platforms for connection, offer educational opportunities, and advocate for policy changes that will make the maritime sector more equitable. As we move into 2025, the need for continued progress in gender equality is more urgent than ever, and events like this show that the maritime industry is ready to embrace change.
This event also showcased the strength and resilience of women in the maritime sector, as well as the critical importance of collaboration across all levels of the industry. WISTA UK’s mission to support, empower, and inspire women in maritime is more important than ever, and their work will continue to create a ripple effect of positive change in the years to come.
If the enthusiasm and ambition demonstrated at the House of Lords are any indication, the future of maritime is bright, diverse, and full of opportunity for women around the world.
