As Chair of the Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee (WiTLAC), the participation of Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, at the high-level ministerial roundtable during the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Congress on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism in Africa on April 29, 2026, was described as highly impactful.
The discussions focused on institutionalizing gender-responsive policies within national tourism strategies and strengthening WiTLAC across the African continent.
The Minister emphasized her Ministry’s strong commitment to the creative industry, describing it as a vital platform for young Sierra Leonean creatives. She noted that harnessing creative talent not only builds confidence but also empowers women to better navigate challenges, including harassment, particularly within the hospitality sector.
To support this, the Ministry has introduced several training programmes within the creative space aimed at improving skills, professionalism, and visibility. To date, more than 900 women have benefited from these initiatives.
Despite these achievements, Minister Tunis acknowledged persistent challenges, particularly limited access to finance and the need for improved service delivery training for women in the tourism sector. She explained that the WiTLAC Desk within the Ministry has been actively working to address these gaps.
As part of these efforts, during the observance of World Creativity and Innovation Day, the Ministry facilitated linkages between financial institutions and entrepreneurs. Key institutions, including the National Investment Board, the National Revenue Authority, and the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, provided guidance on transitioning from informal to formal business operations.
On resource allocation for women in tourism, the Minister noted that Sierra Leone is implementing the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which mandates a 30 percent quota for women across both public and private sectors. She added that the Act also promotes equal pay and inclusive opportunities.
She further explained that these principles have been integrated into the Ministry’s 10-year Tourism Strategic Plan. Highlighting progress within her Ministry, she noted that women now constitute 90 percent of its leadership, a development she said continues to inspire young women across the country.
On sustainability, Minister Tunis emphasized the establishment of a dedicated WiTLAC Desk within the Ministry, currently managed by three staff members, as a strategic step toward ensuring continuity and measurable impact.
She also noted that the launch of the WiTLAC Intra-Africa Mentorship Programme, initially planned for the meeting, has been postponed to the upcoming CAF meeting in Seychelles later in the year.