Women in Maritime: Breaking Barriers

PEOPLE

words by Mdpwn. Jessiea B. Flores photos by Rose Antonette A. Ramos

“Being a woman is not a hindrance to become a competent and world class seafarer,” – Mdpwn. Rendon, JBLFMU-Molo Model Cadet 2020

THE most evident truth is that, every individual in this world is good at anything and this is not ruled by gender. There are so many amazing and inspiring men and women who are in fact, skillful and excellent in all aspects of life.

However, way back in time, men’s dominance and superior authority have been prevalent while women were inferior, voiceless, and deprived of their own freedom and rights. There has always been this unspoken rule that the man has to be the leader and supreme in everything but these serve as trails of history now.

Nevertheless, over the centuries that have gone by and women’s holistic pursuit of equal treatment and privilege have been victorious among all extent of discriminations, judgments, and prejudice. In the present circumstances, women are now incredibly dominating- proving their excellence in all fields and altogether breaking gender stereotypes.

Women in our industry are now endowed with abundant opportunities, a privilege to join organizations that promote their professional interests and beyond everything, confidently believing in their ability to succeed, especially in a male-dominated profession like the maritime domain.

The maritime industry is now becoming increasingly more open and welcoming to women particularly, maritime universities and institutions promote and encourage you ng women out there to take marine courses in college as their chosen career.

Mdpwn. Mary Christel Rendon, 20, desiring to be indifferent, bravely pursue and take up Marine Engineering. She is now in her second year and currently, one of the three newly hailed Model Cadet 2020 here in John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Molo.

“I feel so grateful and proud as a marine woman to be one of the university’s Model Cadet this year. If you really love what you are doing and you believe in yourself, you can totally do anything. Gender is not a hindrance and a reason not to believe that you can do something,” she firmly expressed.

Gender inequality has always been an issue for everyone however, she certainly believes that no matter who you are, you can take a step ahead if you will just believe in yourself. Also, she pointed out that one of the core values of JBLFMU which she is deeply embedded with is Equality.

“Being a woman is not a hindrance to become competent and world class seafarer. I want to prove that even though I am a woman and the profession is male dominated, I could also excel and lead because of my strong will, hard work, and courage.”

Moreover, every person dreamt of becoming somebody in the future in accordance with their dreams, ambitions, and visions in life. Don’t be afraid to dream, aspire to something big, and take action because you are only a woman. Today, men and women share the same equal rights as both lived up to their names and passion, privilege in education and chosen profession, and were awesomely strong and independent people in their own unique ways.

Presently, women in the maritime world are now breaking the barriers between men and women as they proved their worth and earned the respect of everybody because of their outstanding excellence, competency, and persevering commitment in their line of work- inspiring numerous young women to become seafarers someday.