Every year on April 7, World Health Day shines a global spotlight on a pressing health issue that impacts lives across borders, industries, and oceans. This year’s theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” resonates powerfully not only on land but also across the global maritime sector. Focusing on maternal and newborn health, the 2025 campaign calls for bold steps toward safer, healthier outcomes for mothers and babies — a cause the maritime community is increasingly rallying behind.
World Health Day is observed annually on April 7 to raise awareness and inspire global action on key health issues. Each year, the day centers on a specific theme to highlight important health challenges and encourage international cooperation. It was first celebrated in 1950, following the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) during the inaugural World Health Assembly in Switzerland in 1948. The first theme was “Know Your Health Services.” Since then, World Health Day has served as a reminder that overall well-being relies on good health.
This year’s international day, led by the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizes the urgent need to improve care for women and newborns. It’s not just about childbirth — it’s about long-term health, emotional support, and fair policies for women around the world, including those within the maritime workforce. The WHO campaign urges governments, healthcare systems, and industries to step up support systems that end preventable deaths, offer postnatal care, and empower women through better education, laws, and access to services. These goals are especially relevant in sectors like maritime, where female participation is growing, but policies are still catching up.
Historically male-dominated, the maritime industry is seeing more women step aboard — both at sea and ashore. Yet, maternity rights and maternal care remain under-addressed, creating barriers for women to thrive and grow in their maritime careers. A recent report by the All Aboard Alliance highlights inadequate maternity packages as a key challenge for women seafarers transitioning to shore-based roles. The report underscores how a lack of support during motherhood can discourage female professionals from staying in the industry — an issue that affects gender diversity, talent retention, and long-term sustainability.
In a landmark move, tanker shipping company Hafnia launched its “Hafnia at Sea Maternity Overview” in 2022. The policy introduced up to 18 weeks of paid maternity leave, support for repatriation, and a smooth return-to-work pathway — a first-of-its-kind initiative among many maritime companies. “The women we work with at sea are truly remarkable and should all feel valued and fairly treated, especially when it comes to family planning,” says Shivas Kapoor, Head of Crewing at Hafnia. “We’re committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive culture.” By aligning onshore and offshore maternity entitlements, Hafnia not only sets a benchmark but also builds a more inclusive future for maritime professionals. It is worth mentioning that Hafnia received the 2023 SAFETY4SEA Initiative Award for implementing this maternity policy.
Another industry giant, Maersk, rolled out a global maternity policy in 2016, offering fully paid maternity leave and phased reintegration via a four-day workweek. The policy supports families through one week of paid paternity leave and flexibility post-maternity — even in countries with generous statutory leave. “The benefit of this policy is that it provides extra flexibility when returning to the workplace after maternity leave,” said a Maersk spokesperson. Such efforts highlight the growing acknowledgment within the industry: healthier families start with empowered, supported women.
To align with this year’s World Health Day goals, here’s how the maritime community can contribute:
- Strengthen maternity policies: Companies should implement or improve maternity leave benefits — both at sea and onshore. Paid leave, flexibility, and postnatal support are essential to keeping female professionals engaged in maritime careers.
- Support mental health and well-being: Offer mental health services for women before, during, and after pregnancy. Addressing perinatal depression and anxiety should be as routine as physical checkups.
- Empower families through education: Encourage seafarer family wellness programs, like those discussed by Dr. Christian Lubaton at the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Manila Forum. “One of our best practices with a major customer involves engaging the family in crew seminars, discussing family values, financial literacy, health, and wellness. This investment in family involvement is crucial, especially for Filipinos, where health decisions are typically made by the spouse, not the father. Empowering the family means taking care of the seafarer,” said Dr. Christian Angelo P. Lubaton.
- Foster a safe and inclusive environment: Create shipboard environments free from discrimination and harassment. Assign female seafarers to ships with women officers, provide training on family planning, and negotiate collective agreements that include parental rights.
In line with WHO’s advice, here are five golden rules tailored for the maritime lifestyle:
- Eat well: Give your body a range of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to fuel it. To promote general health and lifespan, cut back on processed foods, sugary snacks, and harmful fats.
- Move when you can: Include at least half an hour of exercise each day; daily walks on deck or group fitness sessions can do wonders. Frequent exercise improves mental health, increases metabolism, and strengthens the heart.
- Rest is not a luxury: Ensure enough rest between shifts; quality sleep impacts judgment, safety, and overall wellness. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of good sleep every night. Having a regular sleep routine boosts vitality and general health.
- Manage mental load: Practice mindfulness or connect with loved ones during off hours. Seafarers’ mental health is just as critical as their physical safety.
- Hydrate & steer clear of harmful habits: To stay hydrated and help your body rid itself of toxins, make sure you drink enough water each day. Steer clear of bad habits like smoking that might impair your health in the long run.
April 7 isn’t just a day on the calendar. It’s a reminder that healthy beginnings create hopeful futures — not just for mothers and babies, but for all individuals. As the world raises awareness about maternal and newborn health this World Health Day, the maritime sector has a golden opportunity to lead by example. From policy reform to family engagement, the tides are shifting — and with them, the potential for a more compassionate, equitable future at sea.
