In a landmark event, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, together with UN Tourism, orchestrated a three-day Women in Tourism Regional Congress under the theme “Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation, and Finance Access.” This pivotal gathering attracted over 500 attendees from varying sectors including hospitality, cultural, and creative industries throughout Sierra Leone and the broader African continent.
The congress emphasized the development of gender-responsive policies while increasing access to education, mentorship, technological advancements, and financial resources. It drew participation from representatives across 12 African nations including Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The program featured a dynamic lineup of panels, fireside chats, case studies, a technical workshop, a Fambul Tok “Family Talk” session, and various cultural festivities.
Steered by Hon. Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone, the event was graced by several key figures such as the Hon. Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Hon. Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, and Freetown Mayor Her Worship Yvonne Aki Sawyerr, who highlighted the city’s initiative to generate 120,000 jobs for women and youth by 2028.
H.E. Dr. Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of Sierra Leone, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing tourism as a vital driver of benefits and an enabler of the Big Five Game Changers. The Congress also featured contributions from the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe, the Hon. Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism of Namibia, the Hon. Deputy Minister for Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism of Liberia, as well as former Nigerian Minister Mr. Lai Mohammed, special advisor to the UN Tourism Secretary-General. Ms. Elcia Grandcourt, Director for Africa at UN Tourism, was joined by representatives from various international organizations, including UN Women and AUDA-NEPAD, as well as the UN Resident Coordinator for Sierra Leone.
In a strong commitment to inclusivity, the Congress facilitated participation for women with physical limitations by providing sign language interpretation and encouraging women with disabilities to engage fully in all activities
The Hon. Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Sierra Leone, said: “Every woman has a productive space in Africa’s tourism industry. So, take your space, claim it, and move.”
During the congress, Ms. Natalia Bayona, UN Tourism Executive Director, delivered a video message announcing the provision of 100 scholarships by the UN Tourism Online Academy to Sierra Leone. These include courses in “Introduction to Tourism Industry Management” and “Introduction to International Tourism and Travel Law.” The scholarships aim to enhance educational offerings and skills development within the tourism sector, encompassing areas such as digital marketing and e-commerce, supported by government-subsidized education. Discussions also focused on the critical need for gender equality enforcement in leadership roles and the role of social media and e-commerce as vital tools for brand promotion and market engagement.
A specialized technical workshop on financial access, conducted during the congress, provided 80 women entrepreneurs from 30 different organizations and associations with essential skills to effectively navigate financial systems. The workshop was a collaboration between UN Tourism and Mastercard Africa and was moderated by Invest Salone.
Parallel to the main event, the Women in Tourism Africa Leadership Committee (WITLAC) held two exclusive meetings to evaluate progress and advance initiatives aimed at empowering women in the tourism industry. Supported by UN Tourism and various African Member States, WITLAC solidified its commitment to fostering educational opportunities, innovative practices, and financial inclusion.
This year’s congress not only highlighted empowerment but also focused on boosting self-confidence, pursuing personal passions, and harmonizing efforts with the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa – Tourism for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development Goal 5.
