IMEC and The Hood launch Sisterhood Box to support the next generation of female seafarers

The International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) and The Hood Platform have collaborated to launch the Sisterhood Box, a new initiative aimed at offering practical support to female cadets as they begin their careers at sea. The maiden batch of 47 Sisterhood Boxes were handed over to female cadets at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) in the Philippines.

This initiative merges IMEC’s focus on period dignity and welfare with The Hood’s broader goal of fostering a stronger support network for female seafarers.

The Sisterhood Box is designed to create a lasting impact on the maritime industry by prompting leaders to evaluate the support provided to women, both during their entry into the profession and throughout their careers at sea. Each box contains essential period and personal care products, along with invaluable information on recognising and addressing issues like bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment. It also provides guidance on where female seafarers can seek support and report concerns.

Josephine Le, CEO and Founder of The Hood, emphasized that merely increasing the number of women in maritime education is not enough. The true challenge lies in ensuring women feel supported throughout their careers. The Sisterhood Box addresses this by providing practical solutions, such as ensuring access to basic period products onboard, and offering guidance on dealing with uncomfortable situations. Importantly, it sends a message that women entering the industry are not alone, with a supportive Sisterhood behind them.

This initiative builds on IMEC’s existing Period Dignity program for cadets, highlighting that period products should be treated as a standard welfare requirement rather than an issue women must individually address. IMEC and The Hood hope that this project will encourage shipowners, ship managers, manning agencies, and maritime training institutions to focus not just on recruitment but also on the daily experiences of women once they are at sea.

Furthermore, the Sisterhood Box will be linked to an online Sisterhood community via The Hood App, allowing recipients to maintain their connections beyond graduation and continue receiving support throughout their maritime careers. Le stressed that the success of this initiative should be measured not just by the number of women entering maritime academies or their first vessel but also by how many remain in the industry over the long term and what changes are necessary to achieve this.