At the end of a recent maritime security Tabletop exercise in Bossaso, four women working in Somalia’s port and maritime administration shared their experiences, reflections, and aspirations. Their voices offered a powerful insight into both the progress made and the challenges that remain for women in the maritime sector.
Three of the participants work at the Bossaso Port under DP World port operations, while one represents the Puntland Ministry of Ports & Crime Prevention. Bossaso, a major port city in northeastern Somalia and a key economic hub in the Puntland region, plays a vital role in maritime trade, fishing, and livestock exports. Connecting Somalia with countries across the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the port is central to regional trade, job creation, and the movement of goods.
When asked what message they would give to young women considering a career in maritime or port-related fields, the responses were clear and encouraging.
“I work at the port as a security officer, and I can say we can do it; we can afford it. We can work in ports or other maritime-related industries. Indeed, we can do it!” said Samira.
Her message was echoed by her colleagues, who described the maritime sector as challenging yet rewarding, offering continuous learning opportunities and professional growth. They encouraged young women not to be discouraged by the male-dominated nature of the industry, stressing that women’s contributions are both needed and valued.
At the same time, the discussion highlighted areas where further support is essential. Access to international training, better resources, and greater institutional backing were recurring themes.
“I would like to have international training so that our knowledge can grow and we can engage with other countries,” said Fatima. Working with the Puntland Ministry of Development and Welfare, she added, “People do not always share the same opinions, and we have different views. Still, we all understand that we need to be supported and given more opportunities for international training.”
She also pointed to practical challenges, noting that offices are not always fully equipped, before concluding with a broader reflection: “Women are everywhere and are often overlooked, while men are favoured. Women are the backbone of the family.”
These exchanges took place following a maritime Tabletop exercise held at the beginning of February, organised by the EU CRIMARIO project in cooperation with the Djibouti Code of Conduct Jeddah Amendment. The exercise was conducted using the IORIS platform, a neutral and user-friendly maritime information-sharing tool that enables coordination and communication through a secure, encrypted online environment.
The EU CRIMARIO representative for Somalia visited Bossaso to support local officials during the exercise, which brought together a wide range of maritime safety and security stakeholders operating in the region. Participants included representatives from maritime authorities, coast guards, port authorities, fisheries administrations, and the regional maritime information-sharing centre in Yemen.
The exercise provided a safe and collaborative environment to practise coordination and decision-making, identify areas for improvement, strengthen professional networks, and build confidence among agencies responsible for maritime safety and security. Such activities are essential for reinforcing collective responses to transnational maritime threats and ensuring the safe and secure use of regional sea lanes.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the four women participants expressed their appreciation for both the technical knowledge gained and the supportive learning environment.
“Thank you CRIMARIO and EUCAP SOMALIA for these days. We truly appreciate the opportunity of being with you for the past few days of learning the IORIS platform and observing such an important system. IORIS is going to strengthen maritime coordination, information sharing, and border management in maritime operations,” said Shuweeya.
“I would like to greet everyone that was with us during the four-day exercise,” added Fatima. “I especially want to thank Mrs. Ali and Mr. Andrew for facilitating the exercise. I also want to appreciate Malina, who is a capable and excellent woman and very supportive when we arrived at EUCAP SOMALIA.”
The voices of these women from Bossaso underline both the importance of inclusive participation and the need for continued investment in women’s capacity-building within the maritime sector. With sustained training opportunities, adequate resources, and inclusive policies, maritime security can become a space where women not only participate, but lead—contributing their expertise and inspiring the next generation.