The ICOMIA Diversity Committee has launched a new resource for the recreational boating industry, examining ways to advance gender equality in the sector.
The publication — launched during the ICOMIA/IFBSO Congress 2025 in Palma de Mallorca on 27 May — is titled Innovating Inclusion – Supporting Women in the Boating Industry.
ICOMIA (the International Council of Marine Industry Associations) is a global organisation that brings together national marine industry associations. The association says the guide aims to provide industry stakeholders with examples of ongoing efforts to increase female participation across the recreational boating sector.
A study carried out by the ICOMIA Diversity Committee reveals a stark reality: only 1 in 50 CEOs in the industry are female.
The resource has been produced in response to findings from recent industry reports, including the 2024 Global Workforce Study by Soundings Trade Only and ICOMIA’s gender mapping survey. These data sources indicate a continued underrepresentation of women in the boating workforce.
For example, women reported notably lower rates of job satisfaction than their male counterparts in the industry. This disparity is further compounded by a pronounced gender pay gap, particularly among employees with over 20 years of tenure, mirroring the global average of an 18 per cent gender pay gap.
The committee says it has assembled this guide as a reference tool amid broader challenges facing the sector, including economic instability and changing workforce expectations.
The publication documents a number of initiatives designed to address gender disparities. These include community-building and mentoring activities from the popular Women in the Industry series of events, organised by Michele J. Goldsmith and supported by Marine Industry News, plus programmes developed by Women in Boatbuilding (WIBB), and partnerships formed by The Magenta Project. The guide compiles case studies and testimonials from individuals and organisations working to foster inclusion.
“This compendium is an inspiring guide for those seeking to build a stronger, more representative future for boating,” the committee says in a media statement accompanying the guide.
The guide is available for download from the ICOMIA website.
Read more about women in the marine industry