Preliminary findings from the Caribbean Maritime Sector Gender Equality Mapping Exercise show that many maritime institutions have not yet developed the foundational systems that support gender equality. Internal reporting or grievance mechanisms are inconsistent or unclear, training on bias and harassment is limited, and welfare and behavioural safeguards are uneven. Few institutions have internal structures dedicated to gender equality, such as gender focal points, committees, or governance frameworks, leaving them without the internal architecture required to support gender‑responsive practice.

Preliminary findings further indicate that many maritime institutions do not collect gender‑disaggregated data. This early pattern points to a broader evidence gap in the sector, underscoring the importance of the Gender Equality Mapping Exercise, which will provide a consolidated evidence base of institutional readiness to advance gender equality in the maritime sector.