To inspire and empower women seafarers, Miriam-College Women and Gender Institute (MC-WAGI) in partnership with the Norwegian Training Center (NTC) conducted learning sessions on Gender Mainstreaming to NTC female cadets and graduates in Davao and Cebu. The training program aims to inform participants about women’s rights, reinforce the value of women in the seafaring sector, highlight the importance of mental well-being of seafarers, and encourage greater women leadership in the maritime industry. 

The first leg of the training was held on September 3-4, 2022 at the Davao Merchant Marine Academy College of Southern Philippines, in Davao City. In the sessions, the cadets were able to identify the current problems that women seafarers experience onboard as well as provide recommendations to address these issues to recruit more women in the industry.  Ms. Vivian Abrazado, a seafarer for 30 years, provided her insights and shared her experiences as a mother and a wife to the empowered cadets. A total of 39 participants completed the training program.

Similar to the training held in Davao, the learning sessions in Cebu covered topics such as basic gender concepts, women’s rights as human rights, sexual harassment and the Safe Spaces Act, feminist counseling, psychological first aid, and gender mainstreaming in the maritime industry. The 2-day event was held on September 14-15, 2022 at the University of Cebu, in Mandaue City. The learning sessions were actively participated by 38 cadets in their sophomore year preparing to board ships this year. Capt. Maria Kristina Javellana, the first Filipina woman to command an overseas merchant vessel also shared her fruitful journey from cadet to captain with the participants.