This is perhaps due to the actions of the United Nations in promoting gender equality, women have been taking part in industries that once belonged to men, the maritime industry included.
IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim earlier said that the maritime industry needs more women because of the quality work they provide. He underscored that women are a very important source of human resources, which would make for safer sea travel. In 1991, Republic Act 7192, or the Women in Development and Nation Building Act was passed that mandates the integration of women in various industries, including the military, to make them on par with men in terms of development and nation-building.
The search gave recognition to students for being academically excellent, highly competent in practice, in good moral standing and active in their respective communities. More women have recently filled officer positions such the ranks of chief engineers or master mariners unlike in the past decades, women on board cruise ships were confined to the housekeeping and food and beverage departments.