Gender equity analysis in the maritime and port industry in Chile

Abstract

The underrepresentation of women in the maritime and port industry is a critical concern. Despite efforts to recognize the relevance of gender equity and increase awareness of its importance, comprehensive studies on gender disparities within the industry are lacking. This article addresses this issue by conducting an exploratory study to assess gender gaps in the maritime and port industry. We employ a methodological framework involving an online survey targeted at several port stakeholders in Chile and statistical and econometric methods for the analysis. We identify and quantify gender gaps in three dimensions: wages, working conditions, and perceptions of gender initiatives in the workplace. The results indicate that women earn, on average, approximately 7 % less than men do, even after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Moreover, we find that women, compared with men, are at a disadvantage in terms of working conditions, and they perceive a lower degree of implementation of gender initiatives. Consequently, gender gaps are prevalent within the maritime and port industry. Closing these gaps requires the implementation of practices and policies in both private organizations and public agencies to ensure equitable opportunities for all genders.