Sierra Leone is preparing to host the UN Women in Tourism Africa Regional Congress in Freetown from October 29-31, 2024. Under the theme “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation, and Finance Access,” the event is being organised in collaboration with UN Tourism and supported by UN Women and the African Union.
The three-day congress will gather prominent leaders, policymakers, and women entrepreneurs from across Africa to discuss practical strategies for advancing women’s roles in the tourism sector.
Tourism plays a crucial role in Africa’s economic growth, and women make up nearly 67% of the continent’s tourism workforce. Despite this, they are under-represented in leadership roles and face barriers in accessing finance, education, and technological innovation. This congress aims to address these challenges by moving beyond traditional empowerment rhetoric to focus on concrete tools, resources, and solutions that will enable women to thrive in the industry.
The three-day event will feature high-level panel discussions, mentorship opportunities, case studies on gender-responsive policies, and a workshop on financial access. Emphasising innovation and education, the congress will also offer sessions on integrating new technologies, digital tools, and business strategies to support women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector. The event aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5 on gender equality, SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 10 on reducing inequalities.
