UN Tourism urges sector to prioritise gender equality
Call made on International Women’s Day 2024
UN Tourism, the United Nations specialised agency, has urged the global tourism sector to ‘invest in women’ and expedite efforts towards achieving gender equality.
The call, issued by UN Tourism in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, emphasised the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, persistent barriers to career advancement, and limited access to education and training.
While commemorating the accomplishments of women in tourism, the agency highlighted the ongoing challenges women face.
In focus
The focus was on the disparity in leadership roles, hindrances to career progression, and restricted access to education and training opportunities.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #InvestInWomen, underscored the necessity of investment to tackle the anticipated annual deficit of $360 billion.
This financial support is crucial for attaining the global gender equality goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically in Sustainable Development Goal 5 – aiming to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, UN Tourism noted.
Evidence suggests that increased investment in women can yield significant benefits. Closing gender gaps might boost GDP per capita by 20% and generate 300 million jobs in the global economy by 2035.
Progress status
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “International Women’s Day 2024 provided the perfect opportunity for us to reflect on the progress that has been made and to highlight the substantial investment required to achieve gender equality in the tourism sector.”
He added: “In many countries, we are witnessing the positive outcomes of previous investments, but additional efforts are essential to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainable development.”
In the lead-up to International Women’s Day 2024, UN Tourism conducted a series of webinars worldwide, urging governments, businesses, civil society organisations, and individuals to take tangible steps to invest in women and promote gender equality in the tourism sector.
These actions encompassed implementing policies and initiatives promoting gender equality, supporting women-owned businesses in the tourism value chain, and fostering local, national, and international partnerships to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in tourism.
Featured image: UN Tourism has made a clarion call for gender equality. Credit: UN Tourism
