MONROVIA – The Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr., has used this year’s International Day for Women in Maritime to issue a passionate and action-driven pledge to break down barriers for women in Liberia’s maritime sector, stating boldly, “The ocean does not discriminate, neither should we.”
Speaking at a commemorative event in Monrovia on Thursday, Cllr. Lighe reaffirmed the Liberian government’s commitment to promoting gender equity in an industry historically dominated by men. Addressing maritime professionals, women leaders, and international observers, the LiMA boss said Liberia is moving beyond token gestures and now institutionalizing inclusivity in training, recruitment, and leadership development.
The 2025 celebration was held under the global theme: “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women.” But for Liberia, Lighe insisted, the theme is more than a slogan. “It’s a charge to move beyond promises to progress,” he declared, calling on all stakeholders to support structural changes that uplift women and girls in the maritime domain.
“In Liberia, we are proud of our maritime legacy,” he said, “but a legacy that excludes half of our population is incomplete.”
Cllr. Lighe cited concrete steps being taken at the Liberia Maritime Training Institute (LMTI), including increased female enrollment through targeted scholarships, safe accommodations, and mentorship programs. He also pointed to active partnerships with groups like the Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA) Liberia Chapter, aimed at ensuring women’s voices are not only heard but also influence policy.
Despite acknowledging persistent challenges—such as gender pay gaps and limited representation of women in top-level roles—he challenged outdated perceptions about women’s capabilities in maritime work.
“To those who still ask, ‘Can women handle life at sea?’ I say: look at the data. Look at the results. But more importantly, look at the women,” he asserted.
He spotlighted the daily grit of Liberian women in the sector: from cadets waking at dawn for rigorous training, to engineers and inspectors leading teams with “discipline and grace,” to policy experts shaping the future of Liberia’s maritime governance.
His message to young girls across Liberia was one of encouragement and visibility. “You belong here. You are the future captains of our fleets… the champions of our policies. You are not alone. We see you. We believe in you,” Lighe said.
Cllr. Lighe made it clear that advancing women’s inclusion is not merely aspirational. He outlined three key commitments that LiMA will act upon:
- Implementing equal pay for equal work across all roles
- Ensuring leadership roles are based on merit, not familiarity
- Guaranteeing that every training, scholarship, and opportunity is accessible to women and girls across Liberia
“These are not just Liberia’s promises,” he stressed. “They are my personal vow.”
He further appealed to male leaders and professionals in the industry to see gender equity not as a “women’s agenda” but as a “humanity agenda,” arguing that diversity leads to safer ships, better innovation, and sustainable growth for the global blue economy.
Closing his remarks with a call to collective urgency, Cllr. Lighe urged attendees not to leave the event with “only speeches and smiles” but with a renewed sense of responsibility to accelerate meaningful change.
“Let us be the voice, the bridge, the tide that carries women forward,” he said. “No vessel, no voyage, and no victory is complete without women.”
The International Day for Women in Maritime was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to recognize women’s contributions to the maritime industry and to promote recruitment, retention, and sustained employment for women in the sector.
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