To mark International Women in Maritime Day 2026, the Central American nation of Belize is bringing well-deserved attention to a quiet, transformative shift underway in one of its most economically critical industries: a centuries-old field that has long been almost exclusively dominated by male workers. At the forefront of this grassroots movement is Jada Sutherland, a rising industry leader whose personal mission to open doors for women has evolved into the formal Women in Maritime Association of Belize, a national advocacy platform. What started as an individual vision to challenge systemic barriers has quickly grown into an initiative dedicated to expanding women’s visibility, delivering targeted professional support, and broadening access to career pathways across all segments of Belize’s maritime sector. Sutherland’s trailblazing work and growing influence took center stage at a recent national maritime summit, where government and industry officials highlighted her as a defining voice of a new generation working to rebuild and reshape the sector from the inside out. Kaylon Young, Ports Commissioner at the Belize Port Authority, shared that he has observed Sutherland’s remarkable professional journey firsthand. Unlike many industry leaders, Sutherland did not enter the field with a formal academic background in maritime studies; instead, her passion and expertise grew organically through hands-on on-the-job experience and repeated exposure to the sector’s inner workings. “She never formally studied the maritime sector, but she came into the field, fell deeply in love with the work, and recognizes the transformative opportunities this industry holds not just for herself, but for all Belizeans — and especially for Belizean women,” Young explained in an interview at the summit. For Young and many other industry stakeholders, the push to bring more women into Belize’s maritime industry is about far more than advancing gender equity alone. It is a strategic change that stands to strengthen the entire sector by bringing new perspectives to the table. “Every one of us has a unique role to contribute in the maritime space, and bringing more women into the fold adds a completely fresh dynamic to how we approach challenges and envision the future of our industry,” Young said. “Diverse points of view let us expand our reach, take on more ambitious projects, and grow as a sector far more than we ever could with a homogeneous workforce.” This developing story will be covered in full during News 5 Live’s primetime broadcast at 6 p.m. local time tonight.