KARACHI: Under the theme of ‘Empowering Women in Maritime Community’, the Pakistan Navy on Thursday observed the World Maritime Day.

The day is observed internationally during the last week of September every year under the auspices of International Maritime Organisation. This year’s theme is aimed at creating environment and developing career opportunities for women in the maritime domain.

In his message on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi said that with renewed impetus on the maritime sector following development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, maritime activities in Pakistan were bound to increase manifolds.

“Therefore, building capacities to capitalise on the economic opportunities offered by the maritime sector, especially participation of women constituting about half of our population, is considered vital for accruing benefits offered by our maritime potential. There is a need to create environment and career development opportunities for women in maritime administration, ports and maritime training institutions which has become a fundamental imperative for long term development,” he said.

On the occasion of World Maritime Day-2019, Pakistan Navy undertook a range of activities to underscore the importance of maritime sector with special emphasis on the contribution of women in this field in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

A colourful Maritime Gala at Pakistan Maritime Museum, a seminar on the topic of ‘Empowering Women in Maritime Community’ by the National Institute of Maritime Affairs and to raise awareness about protection of marine environment harbour cleaning activity were carried out at Karachi.

The Pakistan Navy’s officers also delivered lectures at Bahria University and Kinnaird College, Lahore, about significance of the maritime sector and opportunities available for women in maritime domain.

A tree plantation campaign titled “One Child-One Tree” was also carried out by students of Bahria Model College, Gwadar.

Other activities held in various Pakistan Navy’s units/establishments and Pakistan Navy’s administered schools and colleges included beach cleaning campaigns, awareness lectures, prize essay and water sports competitions, talk shows and social media campaigns on the significance of the day.

On this occasion, Pakistan Navy pledges its full support towards development of the maritime sector in Pakistan and empowerment of women in various maritime related fields. Growth in the maritime sector would be a step towards attaining self-sufficiency to accrue true dividends of our Blue Economy.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2019