On October 29, 2024, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Hon. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, inaugurated the Women in Tourism Regional Congress at Freetown’s International Conference Center. Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and UN Tourism, the event gathered over 600 stakeholders to discuss advancing African women’s roles in tourism through education, technology, and financial access.
Despite making up 70% of Africa’s tourism workforce, women largely occupy lower-paid, informal jobs, holding only 25% of leadership roles. The three-day congress, led by Hon. Minister Nabeela Tunis, aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5, focusing on gender equity through mentorship, policy advocacy, and financial empowerment.
This congress supports Sierra Leone’s 10-year National Strategic Tourism Plan, “Tourism for All,” aiming to foster inclusivity and boost the tourism sector.
