Dahlberg celebrates the International Women’s Day in the Maritime Sector.

Today, May 18th, International Women’s Day in the Maritime Sector is celebrated. This year, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) suggested  theme was “Mobilising networks for gender equality”, the IMO presented a video named  “Women in Maritime can…” and organised a global conference of the  Women in Maritime Associations (WIMAs). In the Balearic Islands, Dahlberg participates in the celebration of the event as well as in the recognition of gender equity in the maritime sector. The company’s team is formed by 9 women and 4 men. At the company, women occupy positions related to engineering, finance, logistics, quality, administration, commercialisation and management.

Margarita Dahlberg is in charge of the company, a wonderful example of a pioneer woman who has been working in the maritime sector for decades, as well as being a role model of the sector by presiding the Association of Nautical Companies in the Balearic Islands (AENIB). “When I started to work in 1979, it was difficult to find women working in this sector, especially in the technical field, as the few you could find were mainly at the offices”, remebers Dahlberg. She highlights in her career the role of her father and founder of the company, Kjell Dahlberg, since we are talking about a period of time when it was unusual to see women in charge of a company. “He was my mentor and driving force behind my technical studies. He was sure that the continuity of his company would be in my hands” , she says. 

From Margarita Dahlberg’s point of view, “the fact of being a woman does not imply a handicap to achieve an important position in the sector. If you can find any handicap, it is when women are supposed to be the only ones in charge of the family role. This role should be shared with the partner and with help to achieve a good work-life balance”, considers. In her opinion, the promotions at work “are not 100% equitable, but the service and repair companies are quite advanced in comparison with other marine sectors”, analyses. In any case,” a modern society must have equity between positions occupied by men and women. From my perspective, the qualification of the person for the job is what matters, not the gender” ,defends Margarita Dahlberg, who declares herself “an advocate of equity between men and women.” 

Finally, Margarita Dahlberg believes that “it should be necessary showing to the girls, women working on jobs that are still considered as manly and support them if they choose one of those occupations. Years ago, nobody could imagine women being police officers, firefighters, or doctors. Today it is a reality, and there are not a few of them” ,she concludes.