By Marilyn King
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and with support from United Women in Tourism, hosted the Women in Tourism Regional Congress on Tuesday 29th October, and Thursday 31st October, 2024. the congress held at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Aberdeen, Freetown, united delegates from across Africa, including representatives from Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and other nations. The theme of the congress, “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation, and Finance Access,” highlighted the critical role of women in the tourism sector.
The event was chaired by Antonia Howard, who emphasized the congress’s mission to strengthen support for women in tourism, not only in Sierra Leone but across the continent. “This congress is more than a gathering; it’s a commitment to advancing women in the tourism sector,” she stated. Award highlighted that women constitute 54% of the global tourism workforce and 70% within Africa, yet they occupy lower-paying and underrepresented roles. According to UN Women, women also undertake 2.5 times more unpaid household and caregiving work than men, which limits their financial independence and economic advancement. Despite high participation in the workforce, only 25% of leadership roles in tourism are held by women, Award noted, underscoring the need for greater access to finance, technology, education, and training.
Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, spoke on the transformative potential of tourism to uplift women and communities across Africa. “Tourism has the potential to elevate not only women but also entire societies,” she said, reiterating the statistic that 54% of the global tourism workforce comprises women.
Madam Elcia Grandcourt, Director for Africa at the UN World Tourism Organization, expressed her commitment to empowering women and youth within the tourism sector. She applauded Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis for her leadership and vision, highlighting the importance of creating platforms for discussions and advancements in women’s empowerment within tourism.
Hon. Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Chair of the Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee (WITLAC), extended her gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for supporting her role and making tourism a priority for job creation and economic growth in Sierra Leone. She described the congress as a landmark occasion and milestone in empowering women in tourism, facilitated through partnerships and support from the United Nations Tourism organization. “Tourism is a driver across all sectors of Sierra Leone’s economy, and this congress is about equipping women with the resources to lead within the industry,” Tunis said. She also expressed appreciation to the UN for providing scholarships, helping build capacity among women in the tourism sector.
In his keynote address, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh underscored the significance of tourism as one of Sierra Leone’s “Big Five” priority areas. He praised the essential role women play across the tourism ecosystem, often leading small and medium enterprises and contributing to local culture and job creation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women in tourism and emphasized the importance of women transitioning from consumers to active contributors in the industry.
The congress concluded with panel discussions focused on strategies to overcome gender-based barriers and strengthen the tourism sector’s inclusivity. The event marked a significant step toward empowering women and girls in tourism across Africa.
