Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children of Zanzibar, Hon. Dr. Saada Salum Mkuya, has called upon governments, maritime institutions, port authorities, shipping companies and training institutions to promote equal employment opportunities and create an enabling environment for women’s professional development and advancement into leadership positions.

Dr. Mkuya made the call on November 11, 2026, during the closing ceremony of a three-day Regional Workshop on Gender-Disaggregated Maritime Employment Data Collection and Reporting, held, at Ledger Plaza Bahari Beach Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

She emphasised that reliable gender-disaggregated employment data are essential for evidence-based policymaking, effective planning and monitoring progress in addressing gender disparities. She urged maritime institutions to strengthen data collection, analysis, storage and reporting systems in line with international standards.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Ms. Salma Salum reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to gender equality and urged institutions to implement the workshop recommendations while strengthening regional cooperation with WOMESA and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

WOMESA President, Dr. Devotha Mandanda, said participants had identified existing data gaps, proposed solutions, validated a regional reporting framework and committed to implementing three priority actions within the next three months.

The workshop concluded with a call for stronger regional collaboration and implementation of agreed recommendations to ensure women have equal opportunities in professional, technical, operational, administrative and leadership positions across the maritime industry.

The workshop, organised by the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) alongside the Women in Maritime Eastern and Southern Africa (WOMESA) Annual General Meeting, brought together policymakers, maritime experts and stakeholders from 17 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa.