One-sided London debate concludes praising women in shipping

THE British branch of the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA-UK) held a debate in London recently on the value of women's leadership in shipping, but there were few words spoken against the feminist resolution even by speakers appointed to express opposition.

Asked about the one-sided nature of the debate, WISTA-UK spokesman James Brewer said: "There were two speakers for and two against. The only real contra speech was by Andrew Griffiths. He felt they were unsuited to be high-level leaders in the Royal Navy. So there was no clear opposition."

After the debate Jim Davis chairman of the proceedings and head of International Maritime Industries Forum, concluded that attitudes to women as ships captains was changing.

"By a process of osmosis, the position of women in the world is becoming almost the same as that of men," he said.

Backing the motion, Susan Hawker, principal lecturer in international trade at London Metropolitan University, said women were suited to the challenge of leadership despite social distractions of creating families.

"We should not need reminding how capable women are; in a far shorter time than men, they have made it to the top. Women have become prominent at every level," she said.

Allan Ashby, of Ashby Marine Consultancy, supported this claim that leadership and less likely to take risks, which makes them more suited to the kinder and gentler shipping industry of today.@FAXTEXT What opposition there was came from Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Andrew Griffiths, who said: "We are equal, but we are different. We have never had a woman commanding a ship at sea, or rise to the rank of admiral. I do not see many Lord Nelsons or Thomas Cochranes coming forward."

(Source: www.Schednet.net)