Mereseini Vuniwaqa during the Day for Women in Maritime celebrations

All work environment must be friendly to women says Women Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa.

Speaking during the Day for Women in Maritime celebrations, Vuniwaqa says the maritime sector is always known as a male dominant workplace, however, it should also be convenient for women.

Vuniwaqa says women have the capability to work in the sector and it’s the responsibility of employers to make it safe for them.

“I congratulate all those women who are brave enough to take up jobs in that sector, I know traditionally women in the sector always work in offshore, whether its shipping officer ticketing or something like that. But it’s good to hear that we have female captains and ladies who actually work on the deck when they are on a boat so it’s important that we make their work environment-friendly.”

Vuniwaqa says more women are joining the maritime sector and their safety is paramount.

The maritime sector currently has 200 seafarers of which 90 are women.