By: Saidu Jalloh
The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, teamed up with the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Tunis, to kick off the Regional Women’s Tourism Conference at the Freetown International Conference Center, Aberdeen, on October 29, 2024.
The conference, which focused on the Theme ‘’ Beyond Empowerment to Education, Innovation and Finance Access, ‘’ attracted participants from across Africa.
The history event, organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the United Nations UN, is a major step toward increasing women’s representation in the sector.
Speaking at the event, Minister Tunis emphasized how His Excellency Julius Maada Bio has positioned tourism as a major source of economic diversification and job creation for the youth and women of Sierra Leone and that tourism has been an enabler in all sectors of their economy.
She opined that the National Medium Term Development Plan policy has positioned Sierra Leone as one of the leading destinations and recognized it globally for its authenticity. She explained that the Women in Tourism Congress was organized to chart the way forward as an actionable, inclusive agenda for women in tourism at the continental level.
She commended the efforts of the Secretary-General of UN Tourism and the team for offering 100 scholarships to Sierra Leoneans in the tourism industry. Minister Tunis encouraged the guests and pleaded with them to enjoy Sierra Leone’s hospitality.
‘’The principal objectives behind women in tourism is to move beyond empowerment by equipment women in tourism with the requisite access needed actionable insight, multi-faceted support, and equitable opportunities,’’ Minister Tunis added.
Tunis explained that local women and the Minister of Tourism across Africa would share the same room, from women old to women-dominated tourism and tourism-related businesses in Sierra Leone, to discuss businesses related to gender equality and gender empowerment. Participants would leverage the opportunities provided by the congress to identify and consider solutions that can accelerate more sustainable gender equality within the tourism sector designed to improve women’s lives.
She underscored that the event included a technical workshop on access to finance, which a strong network of women’s associations provided them with the knowledge and skills required to enhance their access to finance, share ideas, and provide them with access to finance.
Tunis highlighted that Sierra Leone’s Tourism and Africa Tourism Strategic Network aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Goals [SDGs] and resonated with their slogan “Tourism na All Man Business.” Three hundred seventy-seven women from across Sierra Leone participated in the congress. Those women represent the silent voices that were denied access to finance and leadership opportunities, and they want to help them excel.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh highlighted the commitment to promoting tourism and that their government had prioritized tourism as an economic diversification.
He called on the regional congress to develop more roads across the region to make tourists more attractive. He noted innovation and technology provide endless opportunities in tourism, and as a government, they had provided the platform for every business to thrive.
Vice President Juldeh Jalloh climaxed by stating that their government had empowered women by providing the GEWE Act because they knew the pivotal role women play in promoting culture and realized their potential to increase women’s participation.
