Cultural exploration celebrates women in maritime

The Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD) brought together 27 women from diverse professions within the local maritime sector at Lamin Warisan, Kampong Tanjong Maya in the Tutong District to celebrate this year’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Day for Women in Maritime.

This year’s celebration featured a series of activities to showcase the Sultanate’s rich cultural heritage.

Participants from Darussalam Pilotage Services Sdn Bhd, Brunei Gas Carriers Sdn Bhd (BGC), Hengyi Industries Sdn Bhd and Muara Maritime Services Sdn Bhd, joined a cooking challenge, kuih and kelupis jalin making activities, utilising traditional ingredients and techniques.

The hands-on experiences were guided by community members from various ethnic groups, including Malay, Tutong, Chinese, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut and Iban.

The event not only celebrated the contributions of women in the maritime industry but also highlighted the importance of cultural heritage in fostering community spirit and collaboration.

The range of activities provided an enriching experience, allowing participants to connect with the Sultanate’s cultural roots while celebrating their achievements in maritime safety and innovation. It also presented a unique opportunity for women in the maritime sector to connect outside of their daily work settings, to build rapport, exchange ideas and strengthen their professional networks in a culturally-enriching environment.

In 2023, the MPABD hosted a forum under the theme ‘Mobilising Networks for Gender Equality’, bringing together participants from both private and government sectors.

The forum was an opportunity for stakeholders to share their views and strategies on encouraging and supporting female participation in the maritime industry.

The annual observance of the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime aims to honour women in the maritime field and reinforce IMO’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality.

It strives to elevate the profile of women in maritime, address gender imbalances, and promote the recruitment, retention, and sustained employment of women in the industry.

This year’s theme, ‘Safe Horizons: Women in Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety’, recognises the pivotal role women play in enhancing safety measures across the maritime sector. Whether as seafarers, maritime professionals, or in leadership positions, women are instrumental in shaping a safer future for maritime operations.