Challenges of women seafarers in a male-dominated maritime industry
The word “seafarer” has replaced the word “seaman” in the male-dominated maritime industry, often considered as politically-correct word due to the increasing presence of women in the profession in recent decades.
In older times, the term “seaman” was widely used to describe anyone working at sea while the term “seawoman” was alternatively used.
The word seafarer came from the combination of the words “sea” and “farer” (from the Old English “farere” meaning to journey or travel). The Badjaos (men of the seas or sea gypsies) are sometimes identified as seafarers since members of this tribal group are known to move with the wind and the tide on their small houseboats called vintas.