KINGSTON, Jamaica —Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Telecommunications Kedesha Rochester, has underscored Jamaica’s commitment to building a maritime sector that fully embraces its talent and potential, including now under-represented women.

Pointing out that women represent just over one per cent of the global seafarer workforce, Rochester said Jamaica will fully participate in activities to recognise the contribution of women in the sector on May 18.

“The day is set to celebrate women in the industry while highlighting the challenges faced in a male-dominated industry. It is intended to promote the recruitment, retention, and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime, strengthen International Maritime Organization’s [IMO] commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and support work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime,” Rochester told the Jamaica Observer following a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s membership in the IMO on Tuesday.