On March 9th, in cooperation with MTCC Latin America and the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP), the webinar titled “International Women’s Day – Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls” was successfully held.

The academic and professional event aimed to highlight the career paths of women in the industry and to propose a concrete roadmap toward equity in the maritime, port, and related sectors in the region.

The session began with welcome remarks by Ms. Magdalena Santos Polanco, President of Red MAMLa, who emphasized the importance of strengthening support and collaboration networks among leaders in the sector. She also underscored the need to recognize women’s contributions in both professional and academic fields as a driver of innovation in the industry.

Ms. Michelle Arrocha, Director of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, delivered the keynote presentation titled “Women in the Maritime Sector: From Global Vision to Regional Impact.” During her presentation, she analyzed data from the IMO–WISTA 2024 survey report, noting that critical challenges persist, such as low representation in operational roles and the retention of young talent. “The real challenge is not only opening the door of the sector to women, but creating the conditions for them to stay, grow, and lead,” she emphasized, highlighting the fundamental role of the International Maritime Organization’s Women in Maritime Associations (WIMAs) in translating global commitments into regional realities.

The webinar also featured a high-level panel on career paths and overcome challenges, with distinguished network members such as Ms. Cristina Cantillo (Alternate Member from Colombia) and Ms. Elvia Bustavino (Honorary Member from Panama), who shared lessons learned and resilience strategies from their respective careers.

Meanwhile, the session dedicated to academic experiences and the impact of STEM scholarships was moderated by Ms. Farash Duarte, General Coordinator of the Network, who guided the discussion on women’s empowerment through technical education and mentorship.

The collaboration between MTCC Latin America, UMIP, and Red MAMLa reaffirms these institutions’ commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The event concluded with a commitment to continue promoting spaces that ensure female talent is fully utilized to build a more resilient and sustainable maritime industry.