“MARINONG FILIPINO – KABABAIHAN – “PALAKASIN SA INDUSTRIYA”

by

BUTCH LIMOSNERO
West Bay College -Alabang

Discrimination, Harassment and Lack of exposure to opportunities; the

corollary why less women are enticed by the prospect of working at sea, Good
Morning. Filipinos are well – known in the maritime Industry all – over the world.
400,000 seafarers are deployed annually but only 2 percent of this population are
women, 90 percent of them are in the domestic sectors with the lowest salary in
seafaring industry. Every day they battle against loneliness, bullying, and sexual
harassment from their male colleagues on board. No wonder only few Filipino
women are in the seafaring industry discouraged from pursuing careers at sea.

I stand here today not to discourage women, but to enlighten them, not to
pull them down, but to raise their confidence and to motivate them that they can
also make a difference. According to research studies, investing in women is the
most effective way to lift communities, companies and even countries. The
problem is when women finished their cadetship, some companies do not hire
them or they hardly get promoted due to discrimination. We must give them the
chance they deserve to prove their capabilities in this male – dominated industry.
As technological change continues to grow, challenges in the maritime industry
also grow Empowering Filipino women means exposure to a variety of new ideas
and inspiration by women of different backgrounds and experiences in technical
skills at maritime schools. We are positive to produce globally competent Filipino
women seafarers.

Conventional approach are not effective anymore. What we need are

transformational leadership. Filipino women can also be great leaders on board.
A leader who inspires and encourages her team to move forward and to solve
problems together. Technical skills and leadership are two of the key factors to a
safe voyage, which can also be acquired by aspiring women seafarers.

Having women in positions of authority is crucial, but that must not come
at the expense of seafaring experience, education and training. Engaging in
marine piloting, steering ships into ports and harbors, learning engineering skills
and directing the ship’s crew is also attainable by aspiring Filipino women
seafarers. Empowering them provides an incredible opportunity to move from
promise to action, from lofty goals to concrete outcomes thus, leading to
economic growth and prosperity.