In collaboration with its agencies, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has organised a robust awareness-raising campaign on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and its impact on the tourism and creative industries. The event, held under the global theme “Unite to End Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls,” forms part of the ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence led by the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.
The campaign, chaired by Reverend Kwame Yankson, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, highlighted the importance of addressing GBV as a collective national priority. Reverend Yankson stressed the need for collaboration among government ministries, agencies, and civil society to combat the pervasive issue of violence against women and girls.
Madam Goodie Sowonie, Director of Gender at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs provided an in-depth overview of the global 16 Days of Activism. She recounted its origins in 1991 when the Center for Women’s Global Leadership convened the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute. Madam Sowonie underscored the global significance of the campaign and its focus on eliminating violence in all forms. She detailed key government strategies addressing GBV, including the Domestic Violence Act 2007, the Sexual Offences Act 2012, and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy 2020.
She noted significant achievements in combating GBV, such as the establishment of One-Stop Centers across all 14 districts, the Sexual Offences Model Court, and the government-initiated “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign. She also called for enhanced partnerships across sectors to strengthen prevention, response, and reporting mechanisms.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, reaffirmed the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces within the tourism and hospitality sector. Minister Tunis emphasised the urgent need for collective action to eliminate GBV, particularly in an industry where women represent 60% of the workforce.
“Women in tourism, especially in the hospitality industry, face challenges such as sexual harassment, job insecurity, and limited training opportunities. These issues leave women vulnerable to exploitation, often fearing retaliation if they report incidents,” said Minister Tunis.
The Minister highlighted key initiatives, including establishing a Women in Tourism Desk and Secretariat to track and address gender-related challenges. She also noted that the Ministry has conducted nationwide empowerment training for over 800 women in partnership with organisations such as Madam Wokie, equipping them with skills in gara dyeing and other areas.
Minister Tunis reiterated the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen legal frameworks and reporting mechanisms to ensure women can work without fear of violence or discrimination. “Our vision is to create a gender-responsive, inclusive tourism environment where women can thrive professionally and personally,” she emphasised.
Mr. John Donald Sandy, Interim Chairman of the National Tourist Board Steering Committee, pledged support to the campaign, aligning it with SDG 5 on gender equality. He noted that women in tourism often occupy unskilled, low-paying jobs, making them vulnerable to exploitation. He called for safe working environments that allow women to thrive.
Senior Program Manager of Rainbo Initiative, Ibrahim Frank Kargbo, praised the government’s commitment to addressing GBV. He revealed that Rainbow Initiative supported 2,339 survivors of GBV in 2024, with 99% of cases involving women and girls. Mr Kargbo urged the Ministry to monitor tourist sites and entertainment centres in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police to safeguard women and girls from violence.
The event concluded with a powerful drama performance by the Sierra Leone Centre of the International Theater Institute (ITI), underscoring the need for continuous awareness campaigns to eliminate GBV across all sectors of society.
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs’ campaign aligns with the national goal of creating safer spaces for women in tourism and cultural industries and ensuring their empowerment to contribute meaningfully to Sierra Leone’s economic growth.
Joel Foday Dumbuya
SLENA Correspondent
Tel: 088296029 / 075211450
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