WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP IN NAUTICAL EDUCATION

The latest edition of the "Coffee with MAMLa" program, aired on Wednesday, November 20, highlighted the impact of women's leadership in maritime education in Latin America. Organized by the Latin American Network of Women Maritime Authorities (Red MAMLa), the program emphasized the valuable contribution of women in the maritime, port and logistics sectors, with a focus on the progress made in countries such as Venezuela and Uruguay.

Two outstanding leaders in the field of nautical education participated as keynote speakers: CF (CG) María Florencia Martínez, Head of the Student Body of the Naval School of Uruguay, and MSc. Naire Tezara, Head of the Nautical Education Department of the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces (INEA) of Venezuela. Both spoke about the importance of inclusion and female leadership and shared their experiences in developing training processes for seafarers. The event was attended by the President of Red MAMLa, TN (CP) Macarena Cladera, and moderated by Dr. Lizett Carrero, Head of the CRECI Committee, and Dr. Zulia Graff, both representatives from Venezuela.

CF (CG) Martinez highlighted that the Uruguayan Naval School provides training for both naval and merchant marine officers. In her speech, she highlighted how women have gained leadership positions in roles historically occupied by men, and emphasized that currently men and women have equal opportunities to train as naval officers or seafarers. She also emphasized the importance of "blue education", which is linked to the use of aquatic spaces as an axis of national development. 

For her part, MSc. Tezara highlighted the policies of the Venezuelan government that have promoted the inclusion of women in key roles in the nautical sector: "...today Venezuela has 1,578 certified female executives working on ships and in administrative positions, as well as 16 nautical training institutions that are committed to continue promoting female protagonism in this field".

Both speakers agreed that professional training is the essential tool to break down barriers and that knowledge strengthens the skills needed to face global challenges. 

Moreover, this meeting reaffirms Red MAMLa's commitment to projecting women's leadership and promoting spaces for sharing experiences that promote equal opportunities in the maritime sector.