Sagar Mein Samman: Empowering Women in Maritime

Current Context : Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal unveiled the ‘Sagar Mein Samman’ initiative during the International Day for Women in Maritime celebrations in Mumbai to boost women’s representation at all levels of the maritime sector.

About

• What is it?
• ‘Sagar Mein Samman’ is a policy framework of the Government of India, launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, aimed at creating a gender-equitable maritime workforce from dockside roles to decision-making boards.
• Background : The initiative aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030 and the government’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) objectives, addressing the historical under-representation of women in the sector.
• Objectives : Empower women through inclusivity, safety, leadership training, skill development, and the dismantling of gender-based barriers within maritime professions. A target of 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030 has been set.
• Growth in Women Seafarers : Women seafarers in India grew from 341 in 2014 to 2,557 in 2024, a 649% increase, with nearly 2,989 women receiving government financial assistance during this period.
• Linkages with SDGs : Supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering equitable employment and leadership opportunities for women.