DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

WISTA International’s definition of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), done by the Diversity Committee’s embodies our comprehensive approach towards creating a diverse, fair and inclusive environment in the maritime and trading sectors. Our understanding of diversity is to embrace various dimensions of identity including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, neurodiversity and age. While our primary focus remains empowering women and amplifying their voices in the maritime sector, we strive to foster an inclusive environment for all.

Diversity, for us, involves acknowledging, respecting and valuing each individual’s differences. We are committed to creating a culture that celebrates diversity, recognizing that a diverse workforce drives innovation, increases profitability, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Equity is central to our approach, advocating for fair treatment, access and opportunities for all. Our objective is to identify and eliminate barriers that have hindered full participation in the past and to ensure everyone, regardless of their unique identity, can thrive and reach their full potential.

We perceive inclusion as more than just representation. It involves fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and their contributions are recognized.

In essence, our DEI definition encapsulates our dedication to creating an environment where diversity is celebrated, equity is realized and inclusion is deeply ingrained into the fabric of the maritime, trading and logistics sectors.

Purpose

The Diversity Committee (DC) will work to develop resources and recommendations for increasing gender diversity and inclusion in the shipping industry, in order to guarantee equal opportunities for the advancement of all staff members, as well as terms for equal treatment in the workplace, without discrimination based on gender, nationality, religion or culture etc.

Scope:

• Continue to uphold the diversity and inclusion pledge and actively work to contribute to the working set of guidelines, in order to increase and improve the involvement of women in the maritime trading and logistics industries.
• Focus on new and existing areas of the maritime, trading and logistics industries, in order to understand the current challenges women face, and to work on an action plan on how we can tackle these challenges.
• Connect more with all NWAs to understand the unique struggles that regions may face in promoting diversity within the maritime industry in their countries and companies, in order to have a focused approach on which strategies WISTA International wishes to bring forward.
• Grow, attract and support female networks as well as female mentors in the industry.
• Put together a detailed brief that all NWAs may consider bringing diversity and inclusion in new and impactful ways to their respective Associations. This may act as a complementing manual to the Diversity Handbook.

WISTA Diversity Committee Members:

Maria Belen Espineira (WISTA Argentina), Bertha Rousseau (WISTA Bahamas), Doreen Njotu (WISTA Cameroon), Monica Potsou (WISTA Cyprus), Chandralekha Mukerji (WISTA Finland), Irina Carbunaru (WISTA Germany), Gertrude Ohene-Asienim (WISTA Ghana), Katerina Konsta (WISTA Hellas), Sanjam Gupta (WISTA India), Estela Deyanira Pacheco (WISTA Mexico), Chizoba Anyika (WISTA Nigeria), Mélanie Delpech (WISTA Norway), Lourdes Aguirre (WISTA Peru), Kit Lim (WISTA Singapore), Cajsa Jersler Fransson (WISTA Sweden), Karin Staal (WISTA The Netherlands), Florencia Sciarra (WISTA Uruguay), Sarah Brennan (WISTA USA)

Chair of the Diversity Committee: Sue Terpilowski (WISTA UK) and Yasmina Rauber (WISTA Switzerland)

ExCo Representative: Raimah Chowdhury, Sub Elpi Petraki