While the number of women in the workforce has risen in recent decades, there remains an imbalance between men and women in leadership positions, and women are still underrepresented in many STEM subjects. To try and change this, the IHO launched the project “Empowering Women in Hydrography” in 2021, with the goal of raising awareness about career opportunities in hydrography, and to increase the number of women in leadership positions. 

The most recent study, conducted in early 2025, revealed that since the project's implementation, the percentage of female national hydrographers has increased from 7% to 13%—almost doubling. Similarly, the proportion of women chairing IHO bodies has risen from 13% to 24%. Additionally, women now vice-chair 32% of IHO organs. 

In 2022 the project was officially endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Action.