Myanmar’s female seafarers head for open seas but still fewer

The number of Myanmar female sailors serving abroad is still fewer as they are worried about the challenges and it is a main reason for the low numbers, said Naw El Dee Nar San (aka) Dee De.
“For women in the catering sector on ships, they have to start as the stewardesses and there are also housekeepers and they can work in galleys onboard. The number of Myanmar female seafarers are still fewer than other countries. Women have been allowed as seafarers in Myanmar recently. People think that the sailors are only for men so far. Some make questions about it. In Myanmar, women are left behind in experiences, languages, finances and poor of knowledge of how to make preparation. It is not easy to get CDC Seafarer’s certificate. Candidates need to attend many courses and they have to make the instalment payment for these fees. Therefore, women cannot do it in a long run or they may be disappointed and women cannot go signing on the ship. Therefore, I want to share my experience to urge Myanmar women. I will serve on board for the third time by the end of this month,” she said at the talk show held at the Myanmar Seafarers Federation Office in Kyauktada Township in Yangon on 7 September.
There are over thousands of Myanmar women who are working on international passenger ships. President of Myanmar Seafarers Federation Captain Soe Min Aung, members of the federation and women seafarers attended the talk show. — Pwint Thitsa/GNLM