International Day for Women in Maritime celebrated at IMI

The International Day for Women in Maritime is a reminder of the progress the maritime industry has made towards greater diversity and inclusion, while reaffirming the collective commitment to creating equal opportunities for women at sea.

At the International Maritime Institute (IMI), this commitment is reflected not only through world-class maritime training but also by fostering an environment where women cadets are empowered to pursue successful careers with confidence.

To mark the occasion, IMI organised an engaging session on “Gender Sensitisation and Women in Maritime” by Ms. Niyanta Dey, Cadet Psychologist, IMI, encouraging meaningful discussions on inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities in the maritime profession.

The occasion also gave an opportunity for our women cadets to share their thoughts and experiences.

Cadet Hena, DNS batch 43: “Coming from Haryana, I never imagined I would one day prepare for a career in the maritime industry. The encouragement and guidance I have received from IMI and its faculty have given me the confidence to follow my dreams.”

Cadet Divyanshi Dhyani, B.Tech batch 19: “Gender equality is a journey, and while we have made progress, there is still a long way to go. Sessions like these help create awareness and remind all of us that gender sensitisation should become an integral part of our professional lives.”

Cadet Aanchal Dhyani, B.Tech batch 21: “Being a seafarer is a matter of pride. Women have consistently proved their capabilities, and diverse crews contribute to stronger teams, better decision-making and greater productivity.”

Addressing the gathering, Capt. Saurabh Varshney, Head of the Institute, IMI, shared, “It is inspiring to witness more women stepping into the maritime profession and contributing to an industry that is continuously evolving. Their growing presence reflects the positive shift towards a more diverse and inclusive maritime workforce. As part of The Caravel Group, IMI is proud to support this transformation by providing aspiring women seafarers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to build successful careers. We remain committed to creating an environment where talent is nurtured, opportunities are equal, and every cadet is empowered to achieve their full potential.”

This commitment is supported by practical initiatives designed to help more women pursue successful careers in maritime. Female cadets benefit from tuition fee concessions, scholarship support through the Maritime Training Trust, dedicated counselling for families, peer mentorship from senior female cadets, and programmes focused on leadership, confidence-building and industry readiness.

Combined with a secure campus environment and strong pastoral support, these initiatives help ensure that aspiring women seafarers have the opportunity, encouragement and resources to thrive throughout their maritime journey