FAQs and Answers
What is Women in Maritime Asia (WIMA-Asia)
Women in Maritime Asia (WIMA Asia) is a regional association that brings together women working in the maritime sector across Asia to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and greater participation in maritime affairs. It was established under the guidance of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as part of its global Women in Maritime Programme, which seeks to increase the involvement of women in all areas of the maritime industry, including seafaring, maritime administration, education, policy, and leadership.
WIMA Asia serves as a platform for regional cooperation and networking among national Women in Maritime Associations (WIMAs) in Asia. It advocates for equal opportunities for women, supports capacity-building through training and mentorship, and works with governments, industry stakeholders, and international partners to strengthen women’s roles in maritime development, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
Who are involved in WIMA Asia
WIMA Asia (Women in Maritime Association – Asia) is a regional network that brings together women and organizations from across the Asian maritime sector to support gender equality and women’s participation.
The leaders come from governments, maritime authorities, academic institutions, and national WIMA chapters across Asia.
Each country often has a national WIMA chapter (e.g., WIMAPhil in the Philippines, WIMA Korea, MyWIMA in Malaysia, WIMA TL in Timor-Leste) that works under the regional framework to promote women’s maritime engagement.
What has WIMA Asia done to promote UN's Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 (SDGs 5) Gender Equality in the Maritime Industry?
WIMA Asia works actively to advance SDG 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls within the maritime sector through multiple initiatives:
a) Regional Integration and Advocacy
WIMA Asia fosters regional cooperation and integration among national maritime women’s associations, building a collective voice for gender equality in maritime policies and practices.
It encourages governments and maritime stakeholders to integrate gender targets into national planning, monitoring, and resource allocations.
b) Enhancing Access and Opportunity
WIMA Asia works, through the IMO and its partners, to:
Promote equal access to maritime education, training, research, and career opportunities for women.
Strengthen national mechanisms to support the employment and retention of women in maritime fields.
Facilitate funding and implementation of training and mentorship programmes, including attachments with maritime administrations.
c) Representation and Capacity Building
WIMA Asia supports nomination of women professionals to participate in international IMO training events, fellowships, and advanced maritime institutes (e.g., World Maritime University, International Maritime Law Institute).
d) Participation in International Platforms
WIMA Asia leaders participate in high-level events like the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD), where they highlight challenges and policy recommendations for advancing women’s participation in the maritime workforce and leadership roles, aligning with SDG 5.
e) National-Level Actions
National chapters (like WIMAPhil) run awareness campaigns, celebrate International Day for Women in Maritime, and work with local maritime authorities to promote gender-inclusive programmes and leadership opportunities — furthering gender equality within their national contexts.
How can women join and become members of WIMA Asia?
Membership in WIMA Asia is open only to individuals who are registered members of their respective WIMA National Chapter or country chapter. Applicants must register in their home country and adhere to the membership criteria, rules and regulations established by their National Chapter. Only members in good standing with their National Chapter are eligible for recognition and participation in WIMA Asia.
In countries without an existing WIMA National Chapter, individuals are encouraged to engage with their Maritime Authority to establish a WIMA chapter