“Navigating the Gap: Women at the Helm of Modern Challenges and Maritime Leadership”
As we celebrate Women’s Month this March 2025, we our focus is to a critical theme: “Mind The Gap: Navigating the Challenges of Modern Womanhood.” In an era where women are redefining roles and shattering ceilings, it’s vital to recognize both the strides made and the persistent gaps that challenge their journey. This article explores the disparities women face—leadership, pay, opportunities, and work-life balance—and how they navigate these with resilience and innovation.
Among the fields where women are forging new paths, the maritime industry stands out as a beacon of transformation. Once a male-dominated domain, it’s now home to female leaders who command ships and steer the industry toward inclusivity. Their stories, spotlighted here, serve as powerful examples of how women bridge gaps, offering inspiration for all sectors. Join us as we honor their achievements, unpack the challenges, and chart the course ahead.
The Gaps in Modern Womanhood
Despite progress, women today confront systemic gaps that limit their potential. The leadership gap remains stark: the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Gender Gap Report notes women hold just 27% of managerial roles worldwide. In industries like maritime, this drops to a mere 1.2% of the seafarer workforce, per the 2021 BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report.
The pay gap persists as a stubborn barrier. Globally, women earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn, according to the International Labour Organization, a disparity rooted in systemic biases that devalue women’s contributions. The opportunity gap compounds this, with women often funneled into “suitable” roles—think administrative rather than operational—based on outdated stereotypes, restricting access to high-growth fields like STEM or maritime command.
Finally, the work-life balance gap looms large. Women disproportionately shoulder caregiving duties, a burden that often derails career trajectories. These gaps aren’t mere statistics—they’re lived realities demanding action and awareness.
Navigating the Challenges
Women are not standing still. They’re bridging these gaps through advocacy, education, and sheer determination. Policy changes—like boardroom quotas and equal pay laws—are gaining traction, driven by grassroots and global movements. Mentorship networks, such as the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), empower women with guidance and visibility, while education initiatives see more women entering STEM and maritime academies.
Yet, the journey is steep. A 2022 Maritime HR Association study found 68% of female seafarers reported harsher judgment of their mistakes compared to male peers, adding pressure in high-stakes environments. Overcoming this requires not just personal grit but collective support—organizations must adopt inclusive policies, and society must dismantle biases. It’s a shared voyage toward equity.
Case Study: Women at the Helm in Maritime Leadership
The maritime industry, a cornerstone of global trade, has long been a man’s world. Women make up just 1.2% of its workforce, yet a revolution is brewing, led by trailblazers who defy the odds.
Captain’s Log: Stories of Triumph
Radhika Menon: Courage Under Storm
“The helm doesn’t ask who you are—it answers to what you do.”
— Echoing Radhika Menon’s belief in resolve over stereotypes.
Imagine facing a raging tempest to save seven stranded fishermen. That’s precisely what Captain Radhika Menon did, earning her the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea in 2016.
As the first female captain in the Indian Merchant Navy, her journey reflects a quiet strength that defies stereotypes. “The sea doesn’t care about your gender,” she once said, “only your resolve.” Her legacy? A lighthouse for women navigating uncharted waters.
Challenges Faced
Captain Radhika Menon’s path to becoming the first female captain in the Indian Merchant Navy was anything but smooth. In a male-dominated industry, she encountered skepticism and resistance from peers and superiors who doubted a woman’s ability to lead at sea. The physical and mental demands of commanding a vessel—especially during a life-threatening storm—tested her endurance.
During her 2016 rescue mission, she faced towering waves and fierce winds to save seven fishermen stranded for days, a feat requiring not just skill but unshakable resolve. Beyond the elements, she battled cultural norms in India, where maritime roles were rarely seen as “women’s work,” and had to prove her competence repeatedly in an environment where mistakes aren’t forgiven easily.
Analysing insights derived from her success narrative:
- Resilience Outshines Doubt: Menon’s story shows that determination can silence skeptics. Her quiet strength turned prejudice into respect, proving that capability, not gender, defines leadership.
- Courage Defines Legacy: Facing a tempest to save lives wasn’t just a job—it was a statement. Her bravery inspires us to push past fear, whether at sea or in our own storms.
- The Sea Levels All: As she said, “The sea doesn’t care about your gender, only your resolve.” It’s a reminder that challenges don’t discriminate—success comes to those who meet them head-on.
- Lighting the Way: Her IMO Award and pioneering role make her a beacon. For anyone navigating uncharted waters—literal or figurative—she’s proof that breaking barriers starts with belief in yourself.
Cezan Villaruz Paulo: Rising Star of the Pacific
“In a world of waves, women captains don’t just ride the tide—they shape it.”
— Highlighting the transformative power of female leadership.
At 35, Captain Cezan Paulo commands the CMB Floris, a bulk carrier under the Singapore flag. Starting as a cadet in 2013, she climbed to master mariner in just a decade. Her secret? Relentless dedication and a knack for turning skepticism into admiration. “Every port inspection is a chance to rewrite their expectations,” she shares. Paulo’s ascent proves that leadership isn’t inherited—it’s earned.
Challenges Faced
Captain Cezan Paulo’s journey from cadet in 2013 to commanding the CMB Floris by 2023 was marked by steep hurdles. At just 35, she entered a field where women are a rarity—less than 2% of seafarers globally—facing skepticism from colleagues and port authorities who weren’t accustomed to seeing a young woman in charge.
The maritime industry’s demanding nature, with long months at sea and high-stakes decisions, tested her stamina and skill. Paulo often dealt with heightened scrutiny, her every action judged more harshly because of her gender and age. Turning that doubt into admiration required not just technical mastery but an unrelenting work ethic in an environment where one slip could undo years of progress.
Key Takeaways for the Audience
- Dedication Trumps Doubt: Paulo’s decade-long climb shows that relentless effort can overcome skepticism. Her rise wasn’t handed to her—it was forged through persistence.
- Rewrite the Narrative: “Every port inspection is a chance to rewrite their expectations,” she says. This mindset turns challenges into opportunities, a lesson for anyone facing stereotypes.
- Leadership is Earned: Her ascent proves that authority comes from competence, not privilege. It’s a call to focus on what you can control—your work—and let results speak.
- Youth Meets Grit: At 35, Paulo defies the idea that experience only comes with age. Her story inspires us to seize opportunities early and prove our worth through action.
Captain Paulo’s journey is a masterclass in transforming obstacles into stepping stones. Her command of the CMB Floris isn’t just a personal win—it’s a signal that leadership belongs to those who claim it, one voyage at a time.
Lindsay Price: Space and Sea Pioneer
“From cadet to captain, the journey isn’t given—it’s carved through grit and grace.”
— Honoring the dedication of rising stars in the industry.
Captain Lindsay Price’s career is a fusion of grit and innovation. From towing to commanding SpaceX recovery vessels, she led the all-female CRS-27 mission in 2023—a first in maritime and space history. Now, as Director of Advocacy at the Women Offshore Foundation, she’s mentoring the next wave of female mariners. “We’re not just breaking barriers,” Price says, “we’re building bridges.”
Challenges Faced
Captain Lindsay Price’s path to commanding SpaceX recovery vessels and leading the historic all-female CRS-27 mission in 2023 was paved with obstacles. As a woman in the maritime industry, she faced entrenched gender biases that questioned her ability to handle the physical and technical demands of towing and vessel command. Transitioning to SpaceX’s high-profile recovery operations—critical to retrieving Falcon rocket boosters—added intense pressure, with little room for error under global scrutiny.
Leading an all-female crew, while a milestone, likely amplified skepticism from traditionalists in both maritime and aerospace fields. Balancing her role as a captain with her advocacy work at the Women Offshore Foundation further stretched her resilience, requiring her to navigate leadership at sea and inspire change onshore.
Key Takeaways for the Audience
- Grit Fuels Innovation: Price’s fusion of determination and adaptability took her from towing to SpaceX. It’s a reminder that embracing new challenges can redefine your path.
- Milestones Matter: Leading the CRS-27 mission as an all-female crew wasn’t just a job—it was a statement. Her success shows how visibility can shift perceptions.
- Build, Don’t Just Break: “We’re not just breaking barriers, we’re building bridges,” she says. This mindset urges us to create opportunities for others while forging ahead.
- Mentorship Magnifies Impact: As Director of Advocacy, Price lifts up the next generation. Her story teaches that true leadership extends beyond personal wins to empowering others.
Captain Price’s career is a testament to what happens when courage meets purpose. From the sea to the stars, she’s not just pioneering—she’s paving the way for those who follow.
The Broader Impact
These maritime pioneers do more than navigate ships—they inspire across industries. Their success proves that when women lead, they excel, urging others to pursue bold paths and prompting organizations to rethink policies. Maersk’s goal of 50% female cadets by 2030 exemplifies this shift, backed by data showing diverse teams boost resilience (McKinsey, 2021). As women rise at sea, they pave the way for equity everywhere.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Womanhood
The journey continues. Harassment (22% of female seafarers reported it in 2023, per the ITF Gender Equality Report) and pay gaps (12% less than men for equivalent roles) demand cultural and structural change. Technology helps—remote training boosted female maritime enrollment by 18% in developing nations (IMO, 2024)—while research predicts 10% female representation by 2035 could save the industry $1.2 billion annually (Maritime Policy Review, 2024).
Women like—Menon, Paulo, Price—are not outliers; they’re vanguards of an inclusive future. Amplifying their voices and supporting initiatives like WISTA and Women Offshore ensures leadership becomes a shared domain.
Conclusion
In navigating modern womanhood, women don’t just mind the gaps—they bridge them. From stormy seas to corporate suites, their resilience reshapes the world. As Women’s Month ends, let’s ask: What gaps do we see, and how can we help bridge them? Share your stories with Strive High—together, we’ll chart a course where leadership knows no gender, only skill and passion. Fair winds and following seas to all breaking barriers, expanding the horizon for us all.
Written By: Dr. Macha Soundria (Cheif R&D Officer Strive-High)
Curated By: Strive-High Team