Women's Health and Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing is a matter for all seafarers, but some health issues are more specific to women working at sea. Here you can find more information on some of the potential problems that women have talked about when at sea, and also some guidance on countering these issues.

Health and wellbeing covers many aspects of life – from physical and mental health, including eating healthy food and sleeping well – to feeling safe and happy at work and included as a valuable member of the team. Having privacy onboard, access to physical activities and time for relaxation are key health issues for all seafarers.

Gaining access to appropriate work equipment, such as uniforms, helmets and boots that physically fits the female body, and having sanitary products onboard, is all essential to health and safety. Maternity protection and childcare provisions can likewise make a difference to many women working at sea. Mandatory pregnancy testing is unfortunately widespread for women working at sea and is sometimes a condition of working on board. For example, we have had many reports of this practice from women working in the cruise industry. The ITF believes that this practice could be in violation of ILO Convention on Maternity Protection, 2000, and is a form of discrimination. If you are subject to mandatory pregnancy testing or are treated differently than men because you are pregnant, please contact your union or the ITF.

Some studies have looked at how women working at sea experience their welfare onboard. Here we include some results from a few groundbreaking studies.

The Women Seafarers Health and Welfare Survey highlights many health priorities for women seafarers 

Top health issues

• joint and back pain (47%) 
• stress,  depression, anxiety (43%).

Joint and back pain was more common amongst seafarers working on cruise ships than on cargo ships or tankers. Stress, depression and anxiety were issues that came out top in both the cruise and cargo sectors.

Studies have shown that women working at sea have concerns about seeking medical help:

• worry about access to medical health care and confidentiality around medical issues
• having to rely on fellow crew members for medical consultations and treatment (cargo ships)
• having limited access to the ship’s medical staff due to working hours (some cruise ships)
• need for permission from supervisors before accessing medical care 
• not seeking care for sensitive health issues such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) because of the question of confidentiality
   

Ways of improving health & wellbeing
 

To maintain and improve good health and welfare, women working at sea included in the study proposed some key changes:

• routine wellness checks
• distribution of gender-specific information on back pain, mental health and nutrition to all women seafarers
• introduction of means for disposing sanitary waste for all female crew on all ships
• improved availability of female specific products, e.g. sanitary products in port shops and welfare centres worldwide

Women working on cruise ships felt that their health would improve if they could have at least a full day off to rest, for example one day per month as a minimum. Other women highlighted that access to physical activity such as Zumba, or yoga, would improve their health, as would relaxation such as being able to watch films and access to spiritual care. 

The study Women Seafarers Report 2022 further recognises the specific challenges that women seafarers face.

If you experience hostility and exclusion onboard, it is likely that both your work performance and health will be impacted. Women often find that to prove they are as capable as their male colleagues they have to work extra hard in an already pressurised environment.

Some women working on cargo ships reported that they had limited access to gyms on board because they were uncomfortable exercising in front of their male colleagues. Others said that having access to support groups for women where they can reach out for help to someone who can relate to their experiences on board would be important for their health.

Sexual harassment

A big concern for women working at sea is the threat of sexual violence. Sexual harassment or intimidation can take many forms, ranging from so called ‘harmless’ banter or inappropriate remarks, to threats, and even physical violence, and rape. Any kind of sexual harassment is unacceptable.  

In the section on Women’s Rights, we include more details on making a complaint if you experience sexual harassment. Having zero tolerance policies in place will help you to be taken seriously when making a complaint. 

A recent report by the Seafarers International Research Centre Cardiff University (SIRC) and the Seafarers’ Charity – ‘The port-based welfare needs of women seafarers’ – highlights the welfare needs of women working on cargo ships.

It found that women experience more isolation than men onboard due to a fear of sexual assault. Women were also more reluctant to report incidents of sexual harassment. This clearly shows a need for a supportive and safe environment for reporting. Awareness is key in recognising that reporting of abuse is vital for changing the culture in shipping. 

The Norwegian Seafarers’ Union (NSU) has conducted a survey on its membership on Bullying / Harassment and Sexual Harassment 

31% reported they had experienced sexual harassment. Those under 40 years of age were over-represented when reporting incidents relating to this behaviour, as were women and new recruits and cadets. The Canadian union SIU did a survey of its membership and reports similar findings. 

Female seafarers were far more likely to experience harassment, bullying or sexual harassment on board than their male counterparts. Both studies show that bullying / harassment and sexual harassment can have an adverse impact on people’s wellbeing, motivation and wish to continue in the job. 

Menstruation
 

Women interviewed in the study on port-based welfare needs voiced the following concerns:

• no access to appropriate facilities for hygienic disposal of sanitary products 
• lack of provision of menstrual products (sanitary towels, tampons). ILO data: 40% of female seafarers do not have access to sanitary bins onboard ships
• lack of access to designated women-only changing rooms
   

Menstrual products should be made easily available to women seafarers on board all vessels. Shipping companies and manning agents can also make a difference by developing and implementing policies on sanitary waste to end the stigma around menstruation. 

Policies for change
 

There has been a lot of work dedicated to managing these issues. The ITF and its affiliate unions are always working to improve life at sea for women and have made good progress in terms of policies and collective bargaining agreements. We want women working at sea to have a say in developing best practice and be at the forefront in shaping the industry. A lot more work needs to be done to really change the culture in shipping and turn the tide for women to be accepted on equal terms with men working at sea. 

See our resources area for general health advice.

If you know of any other resources that would be useful, please send them to womenatsea@itf.org.uk