LiMA Celebrates Women’s Contributions

The Liberia Maritime Authority has joined the international community in celebrating the International Day for Women in Maritime with a colorful program held at the Monrovia City Hall.

The event brought together government officials, maritime stakeholders, development partners, and women professionals within Liberia’s maritime sector to recognize the achievements and contributions of women in advancing the country’s maritime industry.

Delivering the keynote address during the ceremony, Geraldine George, Liberia’s Minister of National Defense, spoke on the global theme: “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender for Maritime Excellence.”

Minister George emphasized that the observance serves as a reminder of the remarkable achievements of Liberian women who continue to break barriers across multiple sectors, including the maritime industry.

According to her, excellence is not defined by gender and greater efforts must be made to create opportunities for women to thrive in maritime and other traditionally male-dominated professions.

She noted that the global theme strongly aligns with Liberia’s national aspirations for inclusiveness, equal participation, and sustainable development.

The Defense Minister further encouraged women and girls across Liberia to pursue careers in maritime, science, technology, and other professional fields where female representation remains limited.

Minister George stressed that empowering women in strategic sectors contributes directly to national growth, institutional development, and economic progress.

Representing the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry, Abraham Avi Zaidenberg highlighted the longstanding relationship between LISCR and Liberia’s Maritime Program.

Zaidenberg disclosed that more than 7,000 ships are currently registered under the Liberian registry, making it one of the world’s largest and most respected ship registries.

He emphasized that Liberia’s maritime program continues to play a critical role in the global shipping industry while contributing significantly to the country’s economy and international standing.

Also speaking during the celebration was Darlington Cheeks, Chief of Office Staff at the Liberia Maritime Authority, who represented Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Neto Lighe Sr.

Mr. Cheeks underscored the important role women continue to play in strengthening Liberia’s maritime sector and advancing institutional progress.

He stressed that teamwork, inclusiveness, and equal opportunity remain essential ingredients for achieving both institutional and national success.

According to maritime officials, women are increasingly making significant contributions in areas including maritime administration, shipping management, logistics, port operations, legal affairs, and international maritime policy.

The International Day for Women in Maritime is globally observed to recognize the contributions of women to the maritime industry while promoting gender equality and increased female participation across the sector.

Observers note that the maritime industry has historically been dominated by men, making initiatives aimed at empowering women increasingly important.

The celebration in Monrovia also highlighted Liberia’s broader commitment to advancing gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment within strategic sectors of the economy.

Maritime stakeholders at the event encouraged continued investment in mentorship, education, and professional development opportunities for young women seeking careers in maritime and related industries.

The program further served as a platform for discussions surrounding inclusiveness, leadership, and the need to eliminate barriers limiting women’s participation within the maritime profession.

Officials emphasized that creating an enabling environment for women to excel remains critical to the long-term growth and competitiveness of Liberia’s maritime sector.

The event concluded with renewed commitments from the Liberia Maritime Authority and its partners to continue promoting gender equality, empowering women professionals, and strengthening inclusiveness within the country’s maritime industry.

Participants described the celebration as both inspirational and necessary, particularly as Liberia continues to position itself as one of the world’s leading maritime nations.