ELVIA BUSTAVINO, PRESIDENT OF RED MAMLa: "WOMEN BRING AN INTEGRATIVE VISION TO THE INDUSTRY"
In the context of the VII Latin American and Caribbean Meeting of Port Logistics Communities, Elvia Bustavino highlighted the regional advances and initiatives in terms of gender equality, as well as the contributions made by women within the maritime and logistics sectors. "Panama is a category A country, managing 25 state ports and 20 concessioned ports, five of which are world-class. Throughout this success, women have always been present in operational, administrative, and managerial areas. We have a strategic plan that includes gender equity, but I want to emphasize that women are not here to fulfill a quota but because of our high professionalism and ability to succeed," stated the Deputy Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).
MundoMarítimo had an exclusive conversation with Elvia Bustavino, who additionally has been the President of the Women in Maritime Authorities Network (MaMLa) since 2022.
This entity, comprised of 19 member states, is one of the eight Women in Maritime Associations (WIMA) established within the Gender Programme of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Its goal is to create spaces and opportunities that promote integral development, as well as the visibility of women in the industry. From this perspective, Elvia Bustavino claims that "Women bring an integrative vision to the maritime industry. We consider the human aspect along with the professional to achieve objectives. Women have changed the industry."
For the professional who was recognized last year with the Maritime of the Americas Award in the Outstanding Woman of the Port and Maritime Sector category, the most important thing is visibility. "To move forward, a cultural change is needed. I've been in the industry for 20 years and I've seen great progress, I've experienced it myself. For this to continue, we have to showcase women, recognize all their achievements so that younger generations are inspired and know that it's possible," she adds.
Just as Bustavino emphasizes the importance of teenagers having role models to follow, she also ensures that many times "we are the ones who set up barriers for ourselves. The mindset that something is not possible for us, we have to eradicate it."
What does representing the industry and being a female empowerment role model mean to you?
"I'm passionate about this industry, I love what I do, and I believe it's what makes me say, 'Today I'm going to get up and do something different in my work, in my personal life.' That's why every time I'm invited to forums or in my daily life, I showcase my colleagues because many women are very important in this industry and perhaps are not being recognized. I've reached a point in my career where I have a place to speak at Cepal, and from there, I have to contribute to the women who come after me, not only in my country but throughout Latin America."
ELVIA BUSTAVINO, PRESIDENT OF RED MAMLa: "WOMEN BRING AN INTEGRATIVE VISION TO THE INDUSTRY"
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