Print
PDF
Sending an important message about its ongoing reform programme, Saudi Arabia participated in IMO’s Regional Conference for Arab Women in the Maritime Sector in Alexandria, Egypt, sending a high-ranking delegation led by Ms. Wijdan Al-Suhaibani, Manager of Branding and Communication at Bahri. According to a statement: “The participation of Saudi women in the conference was a major step that reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued progress and sustained efforts toward achieving gender equality at workplaces and empowering women.“
The event deliberated the representation of women in various areas of the shipping industry, and sectors including maritime and port administrations. In addition, the conference also saw the launch of the Arab Women in Maritime Association (AWiMA), which aims to bring together the women working in different sectors of the industry. Ms Wijdan Al-Suhaibani was named chairman of the newly formed Association.
Speaking after the Conference, she added, “Our nation’s participation in these important events truly reflects the social transformation the country is going through and more so as we are representing the maritime industry, which has historically been male-dominated.”
AWiMA’s mission is to encourage and empower Arab women through improving professional skills and highlighting the effective role that they can play in the maritime sector. Its objectives include enhancing national and regional recognition of the role of Arab women as resources for the maritime industry, strengthening cooperation networks among Arab women in the port and maritime sectors, ensuring equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for Arab woman, and developing partnerships and collaboration with national maritime administrations.
