The Chinese Government's removal of the single-child policy could help address a longstanding shortfall in the numbers of women seafarers, according to researchers at Southampton Solent University. Researchers commented following a recent data collection trip to China for The Gender, Empowerment and Multicultural Crews (GEM) research project, which is looking at why so few females follow a career at sea. Currently only 2% of the world's seafarers are women, and of these 94% work either on cruise ships or passenger ferries. Led by Southampton Solent University's China Centre (Maritime), the GEM project is examining the working conditions, attitudes and cultural behaviours onboard the world's ships, many of which have multi-cultural crews. Project Leader and Solent University Senior Research Fellow Dr Kate Pike said: 'Although the research is in its early stages and we are just beginning the data analysis from our recent visit, China's latest initiatives could herald a change for female seafarers in the future."
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