According to a recent publication by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Professor Momoko Kitada has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 IMO Gender Equality Award. This recognition comes after her nomination by Japan and acknowledges her significant contributions toward promoting gender equality and empowering women within the maritime industry.
The decision was made during the IMO Council’s 135th session in London, held on November 20-21, 2025. Professor Kitada will officially receive her award in May 2026, coinciding with celebrations for International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18.
The assessment panel emphasized that Professor Kitada’s influence reaches far beyond her position at the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden. Her dedication has inspired countless students to champion gender equality within their own organizations and communities.
Her impactful research and leadership have fostered real change across various nations. By effectively bridging academia with policy-making and practical applications, she has achieved remarkable outcomes that benefit both women and men in maritime sectors while upholding a strong commitment to diversity.
With a background as a former seafarer herself, Professor Kitada earned her PhD in Social Science from Cardiff University in the UK before joining WMU in 2011 as Full Professor and Head of Maritime Education & Training (MET). She also coordinates courses related to Maritime Energy Management (MEM) along with other specialized programs focused on decarbonization efforts within maritime industries.
In addition to leading initiatives aimed at integrating women into maritime careers through collaboration with IMO, she is recognized as a certified expert in gender auditing and impact evaluation. Her interdisciplinary approach incorporates gender perspectives into various subjects such as sustainable development, digital innovation, capacity building, and research methodologies-drawing upon two decades of experience advocating for gender equality across maritime domains.
The Council also awarded Letters of Commendation to several nominees who have demonstrated exceptional commitment towards women’s empowerment globally:
This award was established specifically recognizing individuals-regardless their genders-who’ve made substantial strides towards advancing both equity among genders alongside empowering females working throughout this vital sector!
Nominations were evaluated carefully via an Assessment Panel led chaired Mr Arsenio Dominguez Secretary-General comprising representatives hailing Member States partaking IMOGender Network ITF WISTA CLIA plus Chair Sub-Committee Pollution Prevention Response PPR!
This initiative invites nominations not just limited governmental bodies but extends outreach including observer organizations UN agencies intergovernmental entities having cooperative agreements non-governmental international groups maintaining consultative status IMOs!
