According to research conducted by USAID’s Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam), women make up the majority of employees in hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and travel agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, women still face obstacles and discrimination, such as a lack of opportunities for professional advancement and lower wages. Recognizing these challenges in the dynamic and rapidly growing tourism sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina, USAID Turizam and UN Women BiH today introduced the initiative Women in Tourism: Creating Opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of this initiative is to encourage as many companies as possible in the tourism sector to adopt the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP).
UN Women BiH
“USAID and UN Women believe that empowering women in the tourism sector leads to economic growth by expanding the workforce and making it more inclusive for all. This growth is essential for the development of a vibrant and booming tourism industry, and overall economic growth of the country. Women make up the majority of tourism workers, and they deserve more opportunities in their field of work. We are joining forces and pledging to empower them to achieve their full potential, because their active participation will result in a more diverse and sustainable tourism sector,” said UN Women BiH Representative, Jo-Anne Bishop on this occasion.
What are the Women’s Empowerment Principles?
The Women’s Empowerment Principles, created by UN Women and UN Global Compact, provide guidelines for promoting gender equality and empowering women in the workplace, the marketplace, and the community. These principles are based on international labor and human rights standards and recognize the responsibility and important role of companies in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. Over 8,000 companies worldwide are already implementing the Women’s Empowerment Principles in their business.
On the importance of empowering women in tourism
“On behalf of the US Government, I am pleased to officially announce a pioneering collaboration between USAID’s Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam) and UN Women BiH. The essence of this partnership is a shared mission to improve the tourism sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina by introducing the Women’s Empowerment Principles. We invite all male and female workers in the tourism sector to join us at this pivotal moment with the aim of adopting these principles, understanding that gender equality not only leads to better business outcomes – it defines the future of tourism in BiH,” said Karl Wurster, Director of the USAID/BiH Economic Development Office.
Why are the Women’s Empowerment Principles important for the tourism sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Adopting the Women’s Empowerment Principles is not only an ethical obligation but also offers a strategic advantage in the modern business environment. By integrating these principles into their work, companies demonstrate a commitment to creating a work environment that promotes gender equality and provides equal opportunities for all. Besides fostering innovation and productivity, these principles also assist in attracting and retaining talented individuals, strengthening corporate image, and enhancing relations with clients who value social responsibility.
“We truly support this initiative by USAID and UN Women, and we hope it will encourage and support women in their endeavors. Also, I hope that this initiative will at least partially contribute to strengthening the positions of women, not only in the hotel industry but in the tourism sector in general.”, stated director of the Pino Nature Hotel in Sarajevo Aida Terzić.
In the coming period, representatives of the hospitality and tourism sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be invited to join the numerous companies worldwide that already implement the Women’s Empowerment Principles. More information can be found on the website or social media profiles of the USAID Turizam project and UN Women BiH.
