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Although it takes a few years to actually create significant change, it has been a very interesting journey working to ensure that the discussions about gender equality and diversity remain in the spotlight, says the outgoing president of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou. "I feel we have done well so far to raise awareness and to empower women in the industry to feel more confident about their place in it - but there is still a lot that needs to be done," she says. It is a recognised fact that in shipping, as with other sectors, the higher one climbs, the fewer women one sees in leadership positions. As an advocate of diversity, Theodosiou reckons it's not only women's responsibility but shipping’s in general to make women believe they have a position and the right to compete for any role. "In some parts of the industry and some parts of the world this is still an issue and we should not close our eyes to that fact," she stresses. There is still a lot that needs to be done She also points out that the industry needs to become more attractive to young women and especially those who seek to make a difference and want to be in leadership positions. Still, she believes that with the evolution of shipping, technological advancements and environmental goals will help bring more women into the industry. During her five-year tenure at WISTA, Theodosiou was instrumental to its success in receiving consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2018 and has since established numerous initiatives to support diversity and gender equality in the maritime sector. Thanks to these initiatives, women in the industry today have a stronger voice, but she observes that it's not a globally strong voice and not in all parts of the industry. For Theodosiou, this voice needs to be heard in all places where it matters, where decisions can be made and it also needs to be universal. "If we only have a strong voice in some parts of Europe, and it's not in all parts of Europe, believe me, and in the rest of the world, that does not benefit the industry and it certainly does not benefit women and it does not help with our diversity goals that we've set, not only in the industry but as a society as well," she insists. Theodosiou is the joint CEO of Tototheo Maritime, a Cyprus-based provider of maritime satellite communications and technologies. For her, digitalisation requires a fundamental change that needs a collaborative approach, a data sharing culture and a clearly defined mission backed by leadership buy-in - "that is not something that we've had in shipping," she reckons. She also trusts digitalisation can help the industry become more attractive to young men and women. "We should do more to sell this changing shape of shipping to those considering moving into it. We should sell the fact that it is becoming a more modern industry." As for WISTA, the departing president maintains the association has shown that shipping does not need to be fearful of change, adding that with disruptive changes happening within technology and environmental regulation, the change related to diversity was not a "difficult one and not a disruptive one." She finishes by stressing that women should look into shipping and see that it is becoming a modern and more transparent industry and an industry that can really offer a lot in terms of a career. "I hope that I will be remembered as a president that brought new confidence to WISTA. I truly feel that in the last few years we have become an association that is an advocate for diversity and equality and an association that sits at the table with other industry associations and is part of those making the decisions and I think that WISTA is truly global now," she concludes.

Shipping should not fear change

An interview with Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, the departing president of WISTA.

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