WiMAC Conference Kicks Off In Belize City

A regional conference aimed at empowering women in the maritime sector began today in Belize City. Representatives of sixteen Caribbean nations are participating in the third annual Women in Maritime Association Caribbean symposium to foster the development of the industry within the region. News Five’s Hipolito Novelo reports.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

The third annual Women in Maritime Association, Caribbean, WiMAC, is underway in Belize City. The association, as the name suggests, comprises of female maritime professionals committed to increasing the performance, participation, and contribution of women in the maritime sector. One of the ways this is being achieved is through education. This year Belizean student of Saint Catherine’s Academy, Geniva Lambey, won WiMAC’s regional essay competition and the chance to further her education at the Caribbean Maritime University.

Claudia Grant

Claudia Grant, President, WiMAC

“For women to enter this male-dominated industry, they need to be equipped to compete. And so women have been acquiring this scholarship to go to the World Maritime University as well as the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta; the World Maritime University is in Sweden. And through this, we now have a cadre of women who are out in the region, who are contributing to their industries, to the maritime sector and their countries and many of them are represented at this conference today.”

WiMAC was launched in April 2015, in Montego Bay, Jamaica with a mandate to promote awareness among young women of career opportunities within the maritime sector. In short, the association’s view is that women and men can work as one to build industries.

Tracy Taeger-Panton

Tracy Taeger-Panton, Minister of State Responsible for Investment, Trade and Commerce

“Whether it is the maritime sector or any other important economic sector in this country that women have a role to play and we have to advocate for women to take on more leadership roles, more leadership positions. We bring a different perspective to the table and I think for us to ensure sustainable development that we need all perspectives at the table. And so in all economic centres we need champions.”

The conference concludes on Friday and through the remaining days, stakeholders will be engaged in the empowerment of women through capacity building.

Edmond Castro

Edmond Castro, Minister of Minister of Transport and NEMO

“We try to do a gender balancing by promoting females in great positions because dah noh only man got brain, yo know; females are bright too. And I will not be one of a minister that will try not to promote women as well, so we try out best.”

WiMAC has membership in fifteen Caribbean countries. Reporting for News Five, Hipolito Novelo.