In a significant gathering for women’s empowerment in the tourism industry, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela F. Tunis, delivered an impactful speech at the United Nations Women in Tourism Regional Congress in Freetown.
Joined by esteemed dignitaries including Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Tunis highlighted the crucial role of women in tourism, emphasizing the need for inclusivity, support, and leadership opportunities to harness Africa’s untapped potential.
The three-day congress, organised by the Sierra Leonean government in collaboration with the UN Tourism, serves as a pivotal platform aimed at advancing women’s roles in the tourism sector across Africa. The event gathered participants from over 377 women-led organisations and featured local and international delegates committed to shaping a gender-inclusive tourism agenda for the continent.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s journey, Tunis thanked President Julius Maada Bio for prioritising tourism in Sierra Leone’s national development strategy, recognising it as a vital economic driver and job creator, particularly for women and youth. Since 2018, tourism has been positioned as a central pillar of economic diversification, a stance that has propelled Sierra Leone as an emerging tourist destination known for its authenticity.
“Today marks a milestone not only for Sierra Leone but for the entire African continent. Through this congress, we are charting a path towards actionable and inclusive frameworks that will benefit women in the tourism industry across Africa,” Tunis announced.
She extended gratitude to the UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili his team for offering 100 scholarships to women within the industry, underscoring their commitment to the advancement of women in tourism.
With a robust agenda focused on actionable change, the congress featured life-changing sessions and workshops designed to equip women with tools for growth and sustainability. A technical workshop on access to finance offered practical insights on income improvement, financial accessibility and market opportunities for women entrepreneurs in tourism.
“Our goal here is to move beyond empowerment. We are committed to providing women in tourism with access to education, skills, support networks and the financial resources necessary to excel and lead. It is time to dismantle the systemic and structural barriers that have hindered women’s advancement,” Tunis declared.
The congress aligns with WITLAC’s (Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee) mission to promote gender equality in tourism across Africa, resonating with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As Chair of WITLAC, Sierra Leone is spearheading this initiative, aiming to create a sustainable tourism framework that supports women’s financial independence, leadership, and professional growth.
Acknowledging persistent disparities in pay, education and leadership for women across Africa’s tourism industry, Minister Tunis called on member states to “stand up and overcome the challenges women face.” She emphasised that Africa’s cultural wealth and creative young population are key assets that, when nurtured, can drive tourism and uplift millions of women.
The Minister also urged African governments to adopt the Congress’ seven recommendations derived from the Global Report on Women in Tourism 2019. She expressed hope that the African Union would prioritise these recommendations to accelerate progress in women’s inclusion and empowerment in tourism, thereby enhancing the sector’s contribution towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Tunis stressed that, “Every woman has a productive space in Sierra Leone and Africa’s tourism industry,” leaving the Congress participants with the rallying call: “Tourism Biznes Na All WoMan Biznes.”
