Bridgetown, Barbados – 16 May 2025 – As the world prepares to mark the International Day for Women in Maritime on 18 May, the European Union’s Seaport Cooperation Project (SEACOP) organised a high-level seminar in Bridgetown to focus attention on the lack of gender equality in the maritime sector—particularly in areas like security and law enforcement, where women remain significantly underrepresented.
Women continue to face structural barriers in maritime careers—from limited access to training and advancement, to underrepresentation in leadership and operational roles. These challenges are especially visible in maritime security, where more inclusive participation is essential to tackling transnational crime, safeguarding coastal communities, and strengthening maritime governance across the Caribbean.
Creating space for more equal participation strengthens the sector’s ability to respond to these evolving challenges. That is the goal behind the event organised under the European Union SEACOP project, held in Bridgetown under the theme “Sailing Towards Equality.”
Government representatives – including the Hon. Dale D. Marshall, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Barbados and the Hon. Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office – regional partners, and maritime professionals came together not only to recognise the contribution of women in the field but to exchange experiences, identify shared obstacles, and explore practical ways to advance equality. The event also formed part of Europe Month in Barbados, where the European Union – while marking its own Europe Day – takes the opportunity to reflect on its partnership with Caribbean countries and the progress made together toward building safer, more inclusive societies.
“Gender-diverse teams are more effective, more resilient, and better equipped to handle the complexities of modern threats—from transnational organised crime to environmental challenges,” said European Union Ambassador to Barbados, Malgorzata Wasilewska, in her opening speech. “The EU is proud to support SEACOP’s leadership in advancing both security and inclusivity across the Caribbean.”
Panel discussions, keynote speeches, and breakout sessions explored a range of topics – from regional policy reform to women’s leadership in maritime law enforcement – while identifying concrete steps that can help close existing gaps in access, recruitment, and career development.
In the lead-up to the event, a Joint Maritime Control Unit (JMCU) Basic Course was delivered in partnership with the Regional Security System (RSS), offering hands-on training aimed at strengthening operational capacity and inclusion on the ground – pairing dialogue with practical, long-term support.
This year’s observance of the International Day for Women in Maritime marked 10 years of partnership between SEACOP and Barbados, a collaboration launched in 2016 that has evolved into a cornerstone of European Union–Caribbean maritime cooperation. Over the past decade, SEACOP has delivered more than 60 training courses to over 650 officers, supported the creation of 14 JMCUs and 13 Maritime Intelligence Units (MIUs), and helped deepen regional cooperation.
The goal is not just to strengthen institutions—but to ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute to safer, more resilient maritime spaces across the Caribbean.
About SEACOP: Established in 2010 with funding from the European Union, SEACOP aims to contribute to the fight against illicit maritime trafficking and associated criminal networks in the targeted countries of Latin America, the Caribbean and West Africa. The project works in full alignment with human rights standards, with the ultimate goal of mitigating the negative impacts of trafficking on security, public health, the environment, and socio-economic development.
Operating under the umbrella of the EU’s Global Illicit Flows Programme (GIFP), SEACOP VI focuses on enhancing partner countries’ capacity to analyse and identify suspicious vessels, improving intelligence sharing, strengthening maritime search and interdiction capabilities and fostering sustainable cooperation and information exchange at both regional and transregional levels.
To date, SEACOP has supported the establishment of 14 Joint Maritime Control Units (JMCUs) and 13 Maritime Intelligence Units (MIUs), and has delivered more than 60 training courses to over 650 officers across the Caribbean. For more information, please contact: info@seacop.eu
About International Day for Women in Maritime: Observed globally on 18 May, the International Day for Women in Maritime celebrates the contributions of women in all facets of the maritime sector: from seafarers and port operators to law enforcement and policy makers.
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