International Association Ports and Harbours is a Professional Maritime Forum which brings together many scholars,maritime experts, port operators, port security firms, seafarers,universities,IMO,city planners,governmemts and suppliers,researchers,and other maritime decision makers,observers groups and many others to share new ideas and reach decisions that affect the maritime industry

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Calling in at the IAPH Women’s Forum
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Interview withSiti Noraishah Binti Azizan,GeneralManager ofSabah Ports Sdn Bhdin Malaysia and Chair ofthe IAPH
Women's forum.
Empowering women in shipping
What isthe IAPHWomen's Forum?
The IAPH Women's Forumwas launched at the IAPHAnnualMeetingin 2012. The aim is to provide a platformfor IAPH
members to networkand share views on empowering women in the maritime industry.It is a place for us to meet and
interact.We also run specific programmes aiming to empower women.
We currently have around100members. A teamof Vice-Chairs, representingeach ofourregions,help promoteand
manage the forum. Viv Bull from the Port ofNapier in New Zealand represents Asia/Oceania,JustineCamoin from MGI
in France represents Europe andRachelVenderberg fromDewberry in the USA represents the Americas.We have a
vacancy forAfrica at the moment.
What are the current challenges facing womeninthe shipping industry?
In my view, the perceptionthat it is difficult for women to go into a male-dominated industry like shipping is a thing of
the past.But we still need to breakdown barriers in some areas.Forinstance,in some countries it can be more difficult for
women to reach the top levels ofan organisation,because oflocalculture and entrenchedideas.Sometimes the barriers lie
within organisations,which are not ready to promotewomen to board levelorseniormanagement.
Personally,Ithinkthat the biggest challenge forwomen in their careers is achieving a work-life balance,juggling
motherhood,careerexpectationsand theneedforagility in theirprofessionallives.It is a challenge to be acceptedas jus t
as capable as theirmale counterpartsin such a male-dominated sectoras shipping.
What type ofprogrammes does the forumoffer?

2. There are two typesofScholarship Programme:
 The Women's ForumBiennialTraining Scholarship is awarded to women in management and at seniorlevels to enable
themto pursueindustry-related courses.The scholarship includes travelexpenses to attendthe biennialIAPHWorld
Ports Conference.The beneficiary is asked to presenta paperabout herresearch workat the conference.
 The Women's ForumAnnualMeetingScholarship is forwomen belowseniormanagement leveland is awarded to
people who have contributed significantly to theirport/organisation andshownthemselves to be a great asset to their
port orindustry.The beneficiary hasto present a paperat the annualIAPHMid-termConference to showcase a
successfulproject she hasbeen involved with.The scholarship also covers travelexpenses to attend the IAPH
conference.
We are also planning to launchotherprogrammes to enhance andempowerwomen in this industry.One ofthemis an
exchange programme between two participatingports.Another plan is to start a mentoring programme.
What type ofpromotional actions do youundertake?
We promote the platformto members and guests during theIAPHAnnualMeeting,and we also workthroughother
internationalwomen's associationsin the maritime and logistics field.We try to partnerwith associations that address
similar issues andchallengesin orderto collaborate,create links and exchange views.Partners include WISTA (Women's
InternationalShipping andTrading Association),the IMOWIMA (Women in Maritime Association),the UNCTAD
women entrepreneurs programme and WILAT (Women in Logistics andTransport).
We also have socialnetworkpageson Facebookand LinkedIn so we can interact and share information outside theannual
meeting.
Obviously,we warmly welcome any women in the maritime industry who want to join the IAPHWFand oursocial
networkpages.
More information on the IAPHWomen's Forum.
Next IAPH World Ports Conference in Bali, 7-12 May 2017.