Merchant navy has always been termed as a male dominated profession with hardy sailors working tirelessly at the helm and in the Engine room. However, with the advent of modernization, a new era has been heralded in the shipping world which has not just thrown open the doors to women seafarers but has also been encouraging women seafarers to join the profession by introducing various schemes and varied employment opportunities. Women have also proved their mettle as they work shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues and sail confidently across the seas. 

Today, training institutions across the country have started supporting girls as they have started venturing into this field.  However, the picture was not very rosy many years back. In fact, in 1900s, many women disguised themselves as men to earn themselves a spot-on merchant vessel.  It was in the latter half of nineteenth century that women started assuming responsibility on board the ships. However, they were not made to feel very welcome. 

Though gender equality on board the ship has started improving, there is still a long way to go. According to BIMCO/ICS2021 Seafarer workforce report, only 1.2 % of global seafarers’ workforce consists of women.  One may blame the various myths and beliefs regarding merchant navy and the assumptions regarding job profile of seafarers to account for such a dismal report. One can also see lack of awareness regarding this profession among young girls and the overall negative attitude of training institutes towards admitting girls for training. Today, gradually the picture is changing for women seafarers in India.    

The development of various foundations for women including the famous International Women Seafarers foundation is a testimony to the fact that women are slowly but surely securing their rightful place on board the ship.  Started by three women seafarers of India, Capt. Radhika Menon, Ch. Engineer Suneeti Bala and Ms. Sharvani Mishra, this foundation aims at bringing about gender equality in Merchant Navy.   

Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training, (MANET, Pune), affiliated to MIT Art, Design and Technology University, is also in the forefront when it comes to promoting equality in training seafarers. MANET is a marine training institution situated in the picturesque Rajbaugh Campus in Loni Kalbhor, Pune. It offers two courses, namely, B. Tech (Marine Engineering) and B.Sc. (Nautical Science). Girl cadets are not only encouraged by the academy to take admission but are also encouraged on all fronts to develop themselves to meet the challenges in the industry. Whether it be B. Tech marine or B.Sc. Nautical Science, MANET has seen a positive trend of girls joining the institute over the years. The placement department of MANET has also worked tirelessly to ensure that qualified and proficient girls get placed in good shipping companies. 

Today, MANET boasts of placing the maximum number of girls in reputed shipping companies. Right from 2001 to today, many girls who have graduated from MANET have been sailing as officers of various ranks and have indeed carved a niche for themselves in this competitive field. MANET offers a conducive learning environment for girls. They are treated no different than the boys when it comes to training.  This attitude enables girls to hone their skills and arm themselves with both knowledge and skills that hold them in good stead once they join merchant vessels. 

As the world is inching towards bridging the gap between men and women workforce in competitive professions like Merchant Navy, we can say without an ounce of doubt that the belief of training institutions plays a huge role when it comes to training young girls to join the field and excel in it. MANET has always welcomed girls and has ensured that they get equal opportunity to prove themselves in this field. The positive trend of removing gender bias and promoting equality is heartening and work of women seafarers on board the ships stands testimony to the fact that when it comes to navigating the high seas, talent of the officers and not their gender ensures that the ship carries the cargo and the crew safely to the destination. Women empowerment and gender equality have ceased to be a myth in Merchant Navy thanks to the belief of women in their ability as well as the role of training institutes like MANET who work tirelessly to ensure that every girl sails as an officer and handles the responsibility with determination and perfection.