By Janet A. Sesay
SHE STANDS Organization has held a-one day workshop to sensitize women on advancing their skills through female leadership and making money in tourism.
This workshop took place on Tuesday, 5th November 2024 at the NAS Secretariat at Bell Air Park, George Brook in Freetown on the theme: “Strengthening Tourism Dynamics”.
In his opening statement, Abu Bakarr Koroma, Legal Adviser at the NAS Secretariat said they are happy to host the organization as it has to do with gender balance, adding that the organization has passion in tourism and entertainment.
The keynote Speaker of the program, Brooklyn Vyolesa in her presentation explained that SHE STANDS is well registered with locations across twelve districts in the country and they are focused on sensitizing women and girls on how to make money using their skills.
The organization, she said, was also part of the three days tourism celebration that took place at the Bintumani Center.
Madam Vyolesa furthered that Sierra Leone is a place that baffles her mind, adding that tourism involved money- making, pointing out that Sierra Leoneans should be able to make out of every tourists that comes into the country.
She said there are different types of tourism including, fashion tourism that involves designs, hairdressing, clothes-making and fabric, and the other being Animal Tourism which involves exposure of tourists to animal and forest conservations, eco-tourism, etc. She however maintained that a lot more other activities are involved in the tourism industry apart from the main activities associated with tourism that also include food, drinks (local drinks) and food, cultural displays, etc.
Madam Vyolesa said in whatever activity people are engaged as long as it is tourism related can have economic benefits attached to it.
She said as long as a person can make money from any visitor in Sierra Leone the person is into tourism.
Madam Vyolesa furthered that even by cooking and selling as long as it involves money-making, it is also tourism, adding that the person has to make money and that can help him or her to stand out tall in society without asking the needs from government or politicians.
John Koroma, the Chief Executive Officer of SHE STANDS explained that the purpose of the workshop was to educate women and sensitize them about tourism development, adding that they are also targeting strategies on how to make money out of tourism.
He said there are many ways to make money from tourism, but that most citizens are either not aware or not knowledgeable about the economic benefits of tourism, which noted, the workshop has served as an eye-opener for women and girls in the country.
He said women should go about making money not in the immoral aspect but, should focus and have value for the money they work, adding that this is very important especially in the current situation where Government is moving with the diversification of the economy.
He encouraged the women and girls not to be too focused and dependent on politics and politicians, but should diversify their focus, dependence and attention on long-lasting economic opportunities that can guarantee them long-term benefit.