STEM dreams propel women into maritime frontiers

WOMEN remain significantly underrepresented in technical roles within the global maritime workforce, and in Tanzania the gap is even more visible. Yet change is underway.

From coding labs to ship engine rooms, a new generation of young women is stepping into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, challenging stereotypes and expanding the country’s innovation landscape As the world marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, stories of resilience and determination take center stage.

Among them is Eng Glory Ernest Mrema, a 25-yearold Tanzanian marine engineer whose journey reflects the obstacles women face in male-dominated fields and the transformative power of opportunity, mentorship, and belief. Her path into marine engineering was anything but conventional. Born and raised in Mwanza, far from the world’s major ports, she did not grow up around ships.

No one in her family had ever worked in the maritime industry. In fact, few young women in Tanzania consider marine engineering a viable career path. Yet when Glory first learned about the discipline, an intricate field that combines mechanical engineering, navigation systems, and the operation of complex ship machinery, she felt an immediate spark.

“When I finally understood what marine engineering was, I knew I wanted to explore it. I didn’t know exactly where it would take me, but I knew I wanted to challenge myself,” she recalls.

The idea of mastering complex machines, traveling across oceans, and contributing to Tanzania’s growing blue economy fascinated her. The maritime sector plays a crucial role in global trade and economic development, yet it remains overwhelmingly male-dominated both in Tanzania and worldwide.

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Women make up only a small fraction of the maritime workforce, and even fewer work in technical engine departments. Glory was aware of these realities early on. When she shared her ambition with her family, concern quickly followed.

“My father asked around and heard that the field was male-dominated, that women didn’t survive there. Even my mother asked whether I could choose something easier,” she says.

The doubts were not rooted in lack of faith, but in fear of the barriers she might face. Still, Glory remained resolute. She chose to pursue marine engineering, determined to prove that competence not gender defines success. Her academic journey demanded discipline and persistence.

Engineering coursework is rigorous, requiring both theoretical knowledge and practical skill. Glory immersed herself in her studies, mastering the technical aspects of ship engines, safety systems, and mechanical maintenance.

Her hard work paid off when she was selected for advanced practical training in Korea, an opportunity that exposed her to global maritime standards and cutting-edge engineering technologies. That experience broadened her perspective and strengthened her technical confidence.

Eventually, she secured a position as a junior officer with a leading international cruise line, marking a historic milestone in her young career. Yet stepping aboard her first ship presented a new set of challenges. She quickly realised she was the only woman among 150 men and the only female in the engine department.

“It wasn’t the engineering that challenged me. It was the stereotypes. People assumed women cannot work in the engine room, that girls cannot operate heavy machinery, or that you must be married first to work at sea. I had to push back against all of it,” she explains.

The engine room is often described as the heart of a ship hot, loud and physically demanding. It requires technical precision, teamwork, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. Glory focused on demonstrating her competence through action.

Over time, her professionalism and expertise earned the respect of her colleagues. Her leadership abilities soon became undeniable.

She rose to serve as the Health, Environment, Security and Safety (HESS) Representative for the engine department, an influential role responsible for ensuring strict compliance with safety regulations and environmental standards. In this capacity, she oversees procedures and provides guidance to a team of 150 men in one of the ship’s most critical operational areas.

“No one expected a young woman to lead that department. But I did. And I want other girls to know they can too,” she says.

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Glory credits part of her growth to the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI), a programme implemented by UN Women in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the International Telecommunication Union. The initiative equips young women with coding skills, digital literacy, problem-solving techniques and leadership training tools increasingly essential in modern engineering fields.

“The instructors gave me space to be heard. That confidence has played a big part in where I am today,” she reflects.

Through AGCCI, Glory strengthened not only her technical abilities but also her leadership voice. She learned to approach challenges analytically, communicate assertively and embrace innovation. Today, she applies digital and coding skills to marine simulations and machinery systems, demonstrating how interdisciplinary knowledge can enhance traditional engineering roles.

She now applies the digital and coding skills she learned to marine simulations and machinery design and mentors’ other young women in her spare time in Dar es salaam Maritime Institute also in Women in Maritime Sector in the Southern and Eastern Africa (WOMESA).

“The maritime sector needs women. Not one woman in a hundred. Not one in two hundred. We need thousands. And I want girls to know that they belong here,” she says. “The ocean needs more women and I am determined to open more doors for them.” Glory envisions a future where Tanzanian girls see maritime careers as achievable and accessible.

She dreams of designing ships with facilities that support women’s full participation, spaces that acknowledge and accommodate gender diversity rather than treating it as an exception. She also emphasizes the importance of structural change. Expanding scholarships for girls in STEM, implementing gender-responsive employment policies, and creating safe, inclusive workplaces are essential steps toward meaningful transformation.

Tanzania’s blue economy, she argues, cannot reach its full potential without the talent and leadership of women. Her journey reflects a broader movement across the country. Increasingly, young Tanzanian women are entering fields once considered off-limits from robotics and renewable energy to artificial intelligence and marine sciences.

With the right support systems, mentorship networks and policy frameworks, these pioneers are reshaping national development narratives. As the world celebrates women and girls in science, Glory’s story serves as both inspiration and call to action. It reminds us that representation matters not only for equity, but for innovation. Diverse perspectives strengthen industries, improve problem-solving and drive sustainable growth.

For every girl contemplating a future in STEM, especially in fields where women remain underrepresented, Glory offers a message of courage and resilience, “Be courageous. Be resilient. Don’t see yourself as a girl entering a male-dominated field, see yourself as a professional entering your future. The ocean is big and it needs your leadership.”