#InvestInWomen

As the world marks International Women’s Day (8 March), the United Nations Specialized Agency celebrates the achievements of women in tourism while highlighting that women remain underrepresented in leadership positions, face barriers to career progression, and have limited access to education and training.

The theme, #InvestInWomen, highlights the need for investment to address the projected annual deficit of USD 360 billion in funding required to achieve global gender equality goals under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 5.

The Economic Benefits of Gender Investment

Evidence shows that closing gender gaps could boost GDP per capita by 20% and create almost 300 million jobs in the global economy by 2035. UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasized the importance of increased investment in women to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

Supporting Actions for Gender Equality

In the week leading up to International Women’s Day, UN Tourism conducted a webinar series across different world regions, calling on governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to take concrete actions to invest in women and promote gender equality in the tourism sector. Key actions include:

• Implementing policies and initiatives that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in tourism, such as equal pay, access to education, training, and leadership opportunities.
• Supporting women-owned businesses, enterprises, and initiatives in the tourism value chain.
• Fostering partnerships and collaboration at local, national, and international levels to advance gender equality.