Dr. Memunatu Pratt, former Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, participated in the Women in Tourism panel via Zoom, organized by the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC) at the Global Tourism Investment Summit on November 4, 2024, in Westminster, London.
Dr. Pratt spoke about the significant challenges faced by women in the tourism industry, focusing on issues such as the persistent gender gap and lack of support structures.
In her presentation, Dr. Pratt emphasized the need for authorities to address gender inequality in the tourism sector, aligning with the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She advocated for a strengthening of laws and frameworks to bridge the gender gap and create a more inclusive environment for women across the industry.
Dr. Pratt highlighted the critical need for financial support, skills training, education, and access to essential facilities for women in tourism.
According to her, providing credit facilities and promoting financial inclusion in women-led enterprises, governance, tourism, and other sectors is key to economic empowerment. “Women in tourism need targeted financial support, particularly for skills training and capacity building,” she stressed.
Dr. Pratt also pointed out that many women in the tourism sector struggle with confidence issues, limited educational opportunities, and even discrimination within their communities.
She expressed concerns over the gap between policy-making and effective implementation, saying, “Governments are often very good at making policies, but they frequently face challenges in implementing them.”
Another critical area she addressed was the lack of women’s representation in political leadership, despite discussions around a 30% quota for women in governance.
“The inability of women to gain access to political power is a serious concern, especially as we advocate for increased participation in governance,” Dr. Pratt explained.
Dr. Memunatu Pratt has been a relentless advocate for women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone, particularly in the tourism and governance sectors.
Her work has been instrumental in raising awareness and advancing the visibility of women in these fields. As a recognized leader, she continues to push for policies and actions that support the full participation of women in tourism and beyond
