WISTA Sri Lanka felicitates 1st batch of women crane operators in South Asian region

In commemorating International Women’s Day which fell on 8 March, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Sri Lanka, in keeping with the 2017 universal theme ‘# be Bold for change’, organised an event at the Kingsbury Hotel to felicitate the first batch of women crane operators in the South Asian region, trained at the Mahapola Ports and Maritime Academy, under the leadership of Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranathunga, Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping Nishantha Muthuhettigama and Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Dammika Ranatunga.

The bold approach of these ladies; in taking up the challenge of stepping in to “a man’s world of terminal operation” is indeed a proud moment for all the females in the maritime industry. This will no doubt foster greater economic empowerment opportunities for women. WISTA has equipped these Female Crane Operators with focused training and networking opportunities, to share their experience and build confidence to excel in this sphere. The champion of this initiative was none other than the Chief Training Manager Eng. R Sepala.

WISTA – Sri Lanka also hosted Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of the World Maritime University at the event. Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (LL.B, LL.M, Ph.D International Law) joined WMU as President in the summer of 2015. She was responsible for developing ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 and remained responsible for it until she joined WMU. Since the late 1990s, she led the ILO participation in a number of IMO/ILO interagency collaborations on several issues of common interest to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and ILO, including the Joint IMO/ILO Ad Hoc Expert Working Groups on Fair Treatment of Seafarers and on Liability and Compensation regarding Claims for Death, Personal Injury and Abandonment of Seafarers. 

The commitment of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for women’s empowerment, equality and diversity in the Maritime Industry is very much appreciated by WISTA and is of the view that the industry should foster more conducive conditions for women to seek and grow in their employment.

The objectives of WISTA Sri Lanka is to include the recognition of women achievers within the relevant fields, creation of a forum to address industry related issues, to make representation to relevant authorities and develop close cooperation with relevant maritime organisations or associations locally and internationally. WISTA also supports and share experiences with regard to work-life balance for women.