Clear diversity rules needed to break gender barriers

Dr Deepti Mankad, a doctorate in psychology and a leading expert in behavioural assessments, brings a unique touch to the maritime sector with her trailblazing efforts in spreading awareness about mental health issues. As a wellness trainer and coordinator for India region at the Sailors Society, Dr Mankad has designed specific counselling models for seafarers. She founded ‘Mindspeak’ in 2015 to serve as a hub for quality training programs for professionals and conducted the first-ever research on mental health issues among seafarers in India. What drew her towards the maritime sector was its vast global reach and its incredible potential for creating social change. Hailing from a family of Dr. Deepti Mankad, a prominent expert in behavioural assessments and simulation evaluation, comes from a family of seafarers, giving her a unique, decades-long perspective on the maritime industry. seafarers give her a unique perspective on the maritime industry.

Her invaluable contributions in wellness training and counselling have earned her several prestigious accolades, including the ‘Maharashtra Ratna’ from the Education Minister of Maharashtra and the ‘Bharat Gaurav’ from the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Recently ranked 4th among the ‘Top 100 Women in Shipping,’ Dr Mankad continues to inspire and lead change in the maritime sector. “When I decided to leave the academia and join the maritime industry nearly 15 years ago, I noticed several gaps within the sector, particularly in the wellness space, and that’s when I founded my company, MINDSPEAK, to address these needs. I then joined Sailors Society UK as a Wellness Trainer and India Region Coordinator, and I was recently promoted to their Global Projects and Clients role,” she reminiscences.

Dr Mankad identifies two big challenges faced by women in maritime sector: limited access to mentorship and support and the struggle to maintain work-life balance. Dr Mankad strongly believes that pro-active support structures, sustained focus on strategic mentorship and relevant organisational changes that foster women’s career progression are needed to overcome the gender barriers. Dr Mankad roots for flexible work arrangements, mentorship programmes, and diversity training to make women feel more supported and empowered. Encouraging women to take on leadership roles and ensuring they are recognized for their contributions help build a culture of equality and empowerment within the maritime sector, she says.

Companies must take concrete steps to adopt clear diversity policies and ensure equitable access to leadership roles for women. By actively encouraging diverse voices at all levels, organizations can build a more inclusive leadership pipeline, which will benefit the maritime and logistics sectors as a whole. The maritime industry is undergoing significant shifts towards sustainability, digitalization, and innovation. Dr Mankad reckons that these trends would open up exciting opportunities for women in roles related to environmental sustainability, tech driven solutions, and leadership in organizational transformation. Women can take the lead in shaping the future of the industry by embracing these emerging roles. It’s an exciting time for women to drive meaningful change and have a lasting impact on the direction of the maritime sector.