Encouraging Female Participation in Hydrography Fields
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has embarked on a new project aimed at promoting gender equality within the hydrographic community. This initiative, titled "Empowering Women in Hydrography," was approved by the IHO Assembly in November 2020 and has since gained momentum.
The project, part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), aims to address the significant gender imbalance in the hydrographic sector, particularly in leadership, senior, and executive roles. The goal is to build a cohort of female leaders in the marine and oceanographic community.
The project is funded through the Canadian grant and contribution fund for promoting gender equality in ocean science. The IHO community has welcomed this Canadian-led Capacity Building project with open arms, and the United States of America has signaled its early commitment to contribute to the project. Additionally, the project is supported by Capacity Building activities funded through the IHO budget and annual contributions from the Republic of Korea and the Nippon Foundation in Japan.
Since its inception, the project has established a support fund, facilitating education and professional networking opportunities for women in the hydrographic sector from various member states. The project has supported at least nine women from nine nations, enabling their participation in activities such as IBSC internships, Regional Hydrographic Commissions (RHC) meetings, IHO Working Group meetings, and specialized training opportunities.
The project's activities include the development of specific eLearning modules focused on empowering women in the field, with virtual seminars and technical conferences planned or ongoing. A notable highlight is the planned first virtual workshop in Spring 2021. Additionally, the project may include internships at the IHO Secretariat or hydrographic offices, and support for greater participation of women in IHO events.
Financial aid provided by the project enables women to advance their careers and pursue leadership roles within hydrography. The project's outcomes also align with broader international STEM and maritime sector initiatives supporting women’s participation.
The project is led by the IHO under the notable leadership of Rear Admiral A.O., who is cited in connection with the project’s activities promoting women's empowerment. IC-ENC also plays a significant role, facilitating training sessions related to hydrography, including eLearning modules aimed at supporting women in hydrography.
In conclusion, since November 2020, the Empowering Women in Hydrography project has been instrumental in establishing a support fund, facilitating education and professional networking, and contributing to raising the profile and career prospects of women working in hydrography globally. The continuing progress includes educational content development and active leadership engagement by IHO and partners. Gender diversity, equity, and inclusiveness are key elements in unlocking potential for women and their organizations, and this project is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
- The Empowering Women in Hydrography project, orchestrated by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), focusing on science with an emphasis on health-and-wellness, particularly women's health topics such as menopause.
- To foster personal-growth and professional development, the project offers specialized training opportunities, eLearning modules, internships, and involvement in various conferences and committees, encouraged by the Canadian grant and contribution fund for promoting gender equality in ocean science.
- The project, aligning with broader international initiatives supporting women’s participation in STEM and the maritime sector, aims to expand education-and-self-development within the hydrographic community to emphasize the role of women in leadership roles, boosting gender diversity and promoting women's empowerment.
