Santa Marta, Colombia, became a platform for recognizing female leadership in the maritime sector through the forum “Women Who Move the Territory”, an initiative led by Colombia’s Ministry of Transport that brought together representatives from the transport sector, academia, and government institutions with the aim of highlighting and recognizing the contribution of women to the country’s territorial development and transformation.

Representing the Colombian Maritime Authority, Dr. Paula Carolina Pérez Monroy, former President of the Network during the 2017–2022 period and current Honorary Member of Red MAMLa, delivered remarks emphasizing the strategic role of women in the maritime sector and their growing leadership in key areas related to institutional strengthening, maritime safety, and port management in Colombia.

During her intervention, Dr. Paula Pérez highlighted the importance of continuing to promote spaces for women’s participation and leadership within maritime administrations across the region, in line with the principles advanced by Red MAMLa to foster a more inclusive, diverse, and representative maritime industry.

One of the most significant moments of the event was the recognition awarded to five women officers from the Santa Marta Harbor Master’s Office involved in maritime transport, whose dedication and professional trajectory reflect the valuable contribution of women to fulfilling the mission of the Colombian Maritime Authority.