The embassy of Finland also held a reception on 16 May, 2024 with a panel discussion and keynote speech on navigating challenging waters, focused on women working on specialised vessels and in maritime administration.
WISTA UK member and advocate Partner Claire Womersley at HFW, who is also Merchant Navy Medal Awardee was the keynote speaker. Along with Captain Pamela Makela at Viking line, Kirsi Ylarinne at ESL Shipping LTD, Miatta-Fatima Kromah at Liberian Registry, she also participated in the panel discussion on the challenges in getting women to join the merchant navy and more importantly to retain and nurture females within the sector.
WISTA UK was referred to as an organisation that champions women in the sector. The panel also shared more information on WISTA UK’s latest initiative with the Maritime Educational Foundation (MEF) to fund five female seafarers while fostering an environment that supports women in various shipping segments.
