Abstract:

Maritime sector is one of the major contributors of global economy that carries International trade on its shoulders. Around 80 percent of global trade by volume and over 70 percent of global trade by value are carried by sea. Indian Shipping industry has been a fast growing industry and one of the major contributors, not only in monetary terms but also in giving employment to crew on national and international vessels. Indian Shipping industry is one of the industries which hired only male employees as sailors till few years back. Recently, women have been encouraged to join the wagon. Thousands of seafarers are employed on board out of which meagre 1% are Indian women seafarers. This is more alarming as leaving aside just a fraction of this percentage, majority of women seafarers are facing tremendous challenges on board. This study was carried out through survey method wherein a focus group of 198 respondents was chosen through purposive sampling. These included women seafarers of all age groups and ranks who have either sailed on or are presently sailing on merchant vessels or have taken up a shore job in shipping companies. Data was collected throughdirect closed ended and open ended questionnaire and structured interview method where respondents were asked about their demographic details and also about the various levels of hurdles faced by them on board.Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for analysing the data. Study was carried out and results taken thereof, followed by suggestions that need immediate attention of the authorities.

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