Nautilus marks International Women's Day with a call to modernise maritime workplaces

Nautilus International assistant general secretary Sascha Meijer has warned that the fight for women's rights is 'not an abstract international agenda, but a reality' – a fact still all too relevant in the maritime industry.

The Union's Netherlands branch hosted a networking event for women members on 9 March – the date selected by the United Nations this year as the closest working day to the traditional 8 March celebration. Ms Meijer highlighted the UN's 2026 theme, Rights, Justice and Action.

The assistant general secretary said while many maritime women might prefer to see themselves 'first as seafarers or inland waterways professionals, because you have consciously chosen your profession and love it', the reality is they still face slower career progression, prejudice and, in some cases, harassment or sexual violence.

Outdated work patterns that fail to keep up with the reality of work and care in modern relationships and families also deter both women and men from joining or remaining in the industry and contribute to 'critically low intakes' at maritime colleges, she said.

Noting the positives of Union membership, she highlighted some recent Nautilus gains during various company negotiations – including extended parental leave, improved care leave and return guarantees after pregnancy or time ashore.

Ms Meijer also referenced the UK's Royal Fleet Auxiliary, where female seafarers have recently reported issues with what they consider the force's restrictive and discriminatory maternity policies. Some women have even reported deciding to end their pregnancies to protect their careers. 'If pregnancy is treated as a burden rather than part of ordinary working life, it is no surprise women make up only 1%–2% of the global seafaring workforce,' she commented.

Ms Meijer pointed to stark findings from the gender equality agency UN Women: women worldwide hold only 64% of the legal rights of men, nearly 70% of countries maintain discriminatory laws, and global equality could be 286 years away. Political decisions in many nations are further eroding progress through cuts to development aid, social protection and care services.

'That is why we must do more today than celebrate International Women's Day. We must strengthen each other and continue to hold our sector accountable in order to improve the industry.'