THE HEALTH PROTECTION OF FEMALE SAILORS IN ISSUES OF GENDER CONDITIONED VIOLENCE. PART I. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM AND FACTORS OF VULNERABILITY

Probl Sotsialnoi Gig Zdravookhranenniiai Istor Med. 2026 Dec 15;34(2):305-311. doi: 10.32687/0869-866X-2026-34-2-305-311.

ABSTRACT

The article considers the characteristics of manifestation of gender conditioned violence in the maritime industry, taking into account the specific of workplace of ships: isolation of the crew, prolonged cohabitation in a limited space, hierarchy, deficiency of privacy and limited access to channels of complaints and support. The typology of forms of violence that is applied to female sailors is described. The results of sociological survey carried out among female sailors (n=62) is presented. It established high prevalence of sexist jokes, significant rates of unwanted physical contacts and social isolation and low level of reporting to official authorities. The analysis demonstrate that “soft” forms of aggression contribute to lowering of the threshold of permissibility and to increasing of risk of escalation of more “hard” manifestations. The consequences include psychological traumas, decreased team unity and threats to operational security. On the basis of comparison of empirical data and normative legal base, the conclusion is made that there are gaps in institutional mechanisms of protection and that such comprehensive measures are needed as the implementation of accessible and confidential complaint procedures, training and prevention programs, expansion of medical and psychological support, increased representation of women at leadership positions and enhancement of accountability for violations.

PMID:42024602 | DOI:10.32687/0869-866X-2026-34-2-305-311