The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) successfully organized the Women in Maritime Security Conference in Monrovia, Liberia, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and maritime security practitioners from Liberia, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. The two-day event focused on amplifying women’s voices and leadership in the maritime sector, building on lessons from the first phase of the project (2019–2021), which identified gaps in engagement with non-traditional actors, particularly women.
Key Themes and Discussions
Participants engaged in interactive panel discussions and workshops that explored:
Barriers to leadership and advancement for women in maritime roles
Persistent stereotypes and cultural expectations limiting women’s career progression
The role of mentorship programs, gender-sensitive regulations, and inclusive workplace policies
Leveraging technology to support professional growth and leadership pathways
The conference underscored that while women’s participation in the maritime sector has grown, systemic barriers remain, including limited mentorship opportunities, cultural norms, and institutional gaps.
“Empowering women in maritime security is not only a matter of equity—it is a strategic advantage that strengthens governance, innovation, and the blue economy.”
Outcomes and Recommendations
The conference highlighted practical strategies to ensure women can fully contribute to the sector, including:
Sustained collaboration among regional stakeholders
Targeted training and capacity-building initiatives
Mentorship and leadership development programs
Policy reforms to promote gender-sensitive regulations and inclusive workplaces
Research and advocacy to address systemic challenges
By fostering women’s leadership, the conference emphasized the potential to enhance maritime governance, innovation, economic resilience, and the blue economy across West Africa.
