The contribution of underwater cultural heritage to gender equality: an iconographic analysis of shipwrecks

ABSTRACT

This article will examine how underwater cultural heritage research can be an essential tool for reaching gender equality in the maritime world. It will examine the interplay of male and female identities in the maritime world of the past through the analysis of works of art depicting shipwrecks. This will make it possible to investigate the social representation of gender roles and produce ground-breaking research on the consequences of past history in current gender conceptions. The importance of this research is reflected in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes Goal 5, ‘promoting national and international efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment’. Since gender inequalities are still deep-rooted in the maritime profession, this article believes that requestioning the vital role of women in the past and asking the right questions can advance gender equality.

KEYWORDS:

• Women sailors
• shipwrecks
• gender studies
• sustainable development goals
• underwater cultural heritage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. International Maritime Organization. Available at: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/TechnicalCooperation/Pages/WomenInMaritime.aspx.

2. The Mariners’ Museum. Available at: https://www.marinersmuseum.org/sites/micro/women/timeline/index.htm.

3. ABC News. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-17/blackbirding-australias-history-of-kidnapping-pacific-islanders/8860754.

4. PCD Art. Available at: https://www.poppycd.art/the-representation-of-women-in-art-throughout-history/.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the British Academy [Honor Frost Foundation through the British Academy/Leverhulme Research Grants]; National Research Foundation South Africa and UID Grant Number 129962