The contribution that women can make to tackling the issue of invasive aquatic species introduced by ships' biofouling was discussed at the GloFouling Partnerships project's first regional event to be held with Arab Women in Maritime. Two women from 18 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries were invited to attend the Arab Women in Maritime-Biofouling Management Workshop (AWIM-BMW) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (10-11 May).
As well as increasing awareness of biofouling and best practices in managing it to protect marine biodiversity and tackle climate change, the Workshop was a forum for women in the biofouling management sector to identify barriers and gaps related to gender equality, and to explore possible solutions.
The event was held a week before the annual International Day for Women in Maritime (IDWIM, 18 May), held for the first time last year. This year's theme is: "Mobilizing networks for gender equality". Discover more about IDWIM 2023 here.
Professor Omaimah Bamasag, Deputy of Transportation Enablement, Transport General Authority, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, welcomed those attending the Workshop. Jeddah is one of the busiest and most modern ports in the region, Prof Bamasag said, and therefore an excellent place to hold the event. She asked:
"How do we strengthen and develop our seafarer community, specifically the contribution of women to that community? And how do we care better for our oceans that are of such critical importance to our lives and our international trade, specifically addressing the important issue of biofouling?"
IMO's Lilia Khodjet El Khil, Project Technical Manager, GloFouling Partnerships project, described the introduction of invasive aquatic species via ships' biofouling in our marine environment as one of the most pressing environmental issues affecting our oceans. Calling it "a big fight" for the management of biofouling and for climate change, she said of the upcoming two days of debate:
"We want to talk about gender equality and how women can contribute to solve the issue [of biofouling]. … There is a link between the fouling of ships and GHG emissions. We want to have everyone on board, including women in maritime. We need you - and we need Arab women in maritime."
In her opening remarks, Her Excellency Hessa Al Malek, President of the Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWIMA), argued for action to bring greater gender diversity to the decision-making process. It could, she said, result in more innovative solutions to combat biofouling. And in a rallying call, she said:
"By working together, we can create a more inclusive sustainable and successful maritime industry for all. To my sisters in attendance today: The world is waiting. It is the time for us to shine - together and brighter."
As well as presentations on IMO's work on gender equality and the GloFouling Partnerships project, the Workshop included sessions on how different parts of the maritime sector are responding to the challenge of biofouling management. There were also break out groups in which education, business and women's visibility initiatives were discussed from which women from MENA countries could benefit.
Port Jeddah is Saudi Arabia's largest seaport - and one of the busiest in the region - with 75% of the country's imports and exports going through it. Those attending the Workshop were taken to visit the port and to see DP World's facilities there. Ports and dry docks are key to the management of biofouling through the application of anti-fouling coatings and the cleaning of ships' hulls.
Outcomes from the Workshop include an acknowledgement that women are a key part of the solution to biofouling. It was agreed that there is a need to do more to raise awareness of the problem and to increase outreach to women in the sector to equip them with information on career and training opportunities.
A commitment was made to increase mentoring to support the development of the next generation of women in maritime and, in line with this year's IDWIM theme, the creation of a network for women in biofouling. The Workshop called on the sector to support Arab Women in Maritime through greater provision of education and training sponsorships.
A report with recommendations is being drafted, and a biofouling gender action plan aimed at addressing the gender disparity in the biofouling management sector is being drawn up by IMO's TEST Biofouling project. In addition, a follow-up workshop is proposed to, amongst other things, come up with further ways to increase opportunities for women in maritime.
See the full Arab Women in Maritime-Biofouling Management Workshop programme here.
