WOMEN IN DEFENCE –MARITIME WOMEN: BREAKING WAVES IN NAVAL LEADERSHIP

For centuries, the seas have been a proving ground for power, strategy, and resilience. Once reserved for men, naval leadership is now witnessing a rising tide of women who are breaking barriers, commanding fleets, and redefining what it means to lead at sea.

In 2025, women make up around 20% of many global navies a number unthinkable only a generation ago. Their presence is not tokenistic; it is vital. In an era of cyber warfare, contested seas, and shifting alliances, diverse decision-making is as critical as firepower. Skills like strategic acumen, crisis management, and adaptability transcend gender, and navies are learning a new truth: the strongest fleets are those that draw on every talent available.

The first wave of pioneers had to fight tradition as much as tides. In 1972, Alene B. Duerk became the U.S. Navy’s first female admiral, opening doors once thought sealed. By 1996, Patricia Ann Tracey had earned three-star rank. Today, more than 100 women in the U.S. Navy have worn an admiral’s stars. Yet this story stretches back further than many realize. Artemisia I of Caria, an ancient Greek commander, and Laskarina Bouboulina of Greece’s War of Independence remind us that women at sea is not a modern experiment but a rediscovered legacy. Still, it took late 20th-century reforms such as the integration of women into combat roles to transform navies from exclusive clubs into inclusive forces.

Admiral Michelle Howard embodied that transformation. In 2014, she became the U.S. Navy’s first female and first Black female four-star admiral. Her leadership shone during operations such as the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates. In 2023, Admiral Lisa Franchetti made history as the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, commanding one of the most powerful fleets in the world. Other leaders have broken through in specialized commands: Captain Franca Jones at the Naval Medical Research Command, or Ericka E. Kelly, who turned her military service into a platform for mentoring resilient leaders.

The momentum is global. In the United Kingdom, Jude Terry became the Royal Navy’s first female admiral in its 500-year history in 2022. In Nigeria, Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu shattered barriers as Africa’s first female admiral. In Canada, Commander Cynthia Caborn steers the Naval Fleet School Atlantic with a focus on training excellence. Latin America boasts Admiral Érika Virgüez Oviedo of Venezuela, who also serves as deputy defence minister, while in India, Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A completed a historic transoceanic voyage in 2025, proving that endurance and leadership know no gender. Each breakthrough strengthens the narrative: women are not simply joining navies they are shaping them.

Progress, however, comes with turbulence. Women in defence still contend with systemic bias, harassment, and attrition. Ships not designed for mixed crews can magnify daily pressures, while balancing family life or transitioning to shore-based roles remains harder than it should be. In parts of the world, cultural norms still act as anchors holding women back. These obstacles highlight the unfinished business of reform.

The response has been deliberate. The U.S. Navy’s Women’s Initiatives Team, launched in 2024, ensures female sailors’ feedback reaches the highest levels of command. Australia’s Women in Maritime Security program gathers future leaders from across the Asia-Pacific, fostering networks that will last careers. Globally, the International Maritime Organization promotes anti-discrimination standards, while initiatives like the Women Veterans Trailblazer program celebrate service and inspire the next generation. Each effort reflects a recognition that inclusion is not just about fairness it is about operational strength.

The seas are more contested than ever, from the South China Sea to the Arctic to cyberspace. To navigate them, navies need every ounce of talent. Women have already proven they can command ships, lead fleets, and craft strategy at the highest levels. What began as a ripple is now a tidal force. From Howard to Hotonu, from Bouboulina to Franchetti, women are not simply adding diversity to the ranks; they are steering the fleets that safeguard global security. The future of maritime defence is not only about ships and strategy it is about who leads, who innovates, and those who dares to break new grounds.