Benefits of aligned support are many and varied
By Carly Fields
Promoting a culture of ‘allyship’ in shipping can proactively support individuals who face discrimination or unfair treatment and brings many benefits to life at sea, according to a new campaign from the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN).
New guides from ISWAN aim to promote a culture of allyship within the shipping, cruise, and superyacht industries and are part of ISWAN’s global campaign, “Safe at Sea…it takes all of us!”, which focuses on the role of male seafarers in supporting their female colleagues.
Allyship sees any seafarer supporting any individual, even if they do not belong to the same group. While the concept of allyship has not been widely explored in the maritime sector, it can be particularly powerful at sea due to the diverse and international nature of the industry. Many seafarers may feel isolated or alone, being the only person of their gender, nationality, religion, or linguistic group on board.
ISWAN’s guides provide practical steps for both seafarers and maritime stakeholders to foster a culture of allyship. For seafarers, the guide offers advice on how to be a good ally to their colleagues, while the companion guide for maritime stakeholders explores ways to create a supportive environment at sea.
Helping others
The benefits of allyship are multifaceted. At an individual level, allyship can enhance seafarers’ wellbeing and support their professional and personal growth. For teams, a culture of ally- ship can lead to healthier, safer, and more productive work environments. Ultimately, allyship contributes to a more inclusive and welcoming maritime sector, reducing harmful behaviours and improving recruitment and retention rates.
One group that can particularly benefit from allyship is women seafarers. They often face unique challenges, including higher rates of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence, as well as a lack of appropriate facilities and equipment. ISWAN’s guides provide practical actions that all seafarers, senior officers, maritime employers, and other stakeholders can take to build a strong culture of allyship, particularly between male and female seafarers.
Georgia Allen, ISWAN’s projects and relationship manager, emphasises the importance of allyship in creating a more inclusive maritime sector: “Despite numerous initiatives to encourage more women to pursue careers at sea, there has been limited progress towards achieving culture change. Making a real commitment to being a good ally and fostering a culture of allyship is a concrete step towards achieving the structural change that is needed for women seafarers to experience safe and rewarding careers.”
Beyond the immediate benefits, fostering a culture of allyship can also have a broader impact on the maritime industry. By creating a more inclusive and supportive environment, the sector can attract and retain a more diverse workforce, which in turn can lead to greater innovation and problem-solving. Additionally, a culture of allyship can help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, encouraging seafarers to seek support when needed.
ISWAN’s free resources, How to be an ally: A guide for seafarers and How to be an ally: A guide for maritime stakeholders can be downloaded here. For more information, please contact ISWAN at [email protected].
