GENDER ASSESSMENT OF THE GAMBIAN TOURISM SECTOR © 2024 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. 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Table Executive Summary 2 Introduction 6 Methodology 9 2.1 Framework 9 2.2 Data collection 10 The Gambia Context 13 3.1 Tourism in The Gambia 13 3.2 Status of Women in The Gambia 14 3.3 Tourism Segments in The Gambia: Potential for Women's Participation 15 Gender Gap Analysis 20 4.1 Gender Disparity in Employment 20 4.2 Gender disparity in Entrepreneurship 24 4.3 Leadership and Decision-Making 26 Cross-Cutting Issues 29 5.1 Policy and Institutional Context 29 5.2 Tourism Education 30 5.3 Social Norms 31 Recommendations for Advancing Gender Equality in the Tourism 34 Recommendations for the World Bank Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project 39 Bibliography 44 List List ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ACRONYMS Executive Summary for part-time or seasonal roles and often occupy Executive Summary positions such as receptionists, waitresses, housekeeping staff, and some managerial roles in Human Resources (HR), finance, and marketing. Tourism offers significant opportunities for women’s Women face barriers including lack of skills, restrictive participation, entrepreneurship, and leadership gender norms, limited information about lucrative compared to other sectors, but there are challenges tourism jobs, and discriminatory hiring practices, to address. Jobs in tourism are more likely to be low which contribute to their lower participation rates. paid, businesses tend to be smaller, informal, and less There is still a societal stigma associated with women well-capitalized, and present risks such as vulnerability working in hotels, exacerbated by safety concerns in to exploitation, particularly in low-income countries late hours and gender norms. like The Gambia. The United Nations (UN) Global Report on Women and Tourism highlights that women In tourism entrepreneurial activities, most women- are nearly twice as likely to be employers in the owned businesses face challenges in skills tourism sector as in any other industry, attributing this development, securing finance, accessing tourism to the sector’s characteristics such as low entry segments and markets, and are further limited by a barriers and flexible work arrangements. However, lack of infrastructure and testing labs. Predominantly, despite these opportunities, challenges persist. women engage in entrepreneurial activities as craft Women in the tourism sector often face exploitation, sellers, beach fruit vendors, tour operators, restaurant trafficking, and harassment due to the sector’s owners, and indirectly contribute to the tourism sector predominantly informal structure. The risks are by supplying vegetables, food, and through catering, exacerbated by the lack of formal protections and the beauty, skincare, and fashion businesses. While gender vulnerability of women in low-income settings within disaggregated data is not available on tourism business the industry. ownership in The Gambia, in general, women-owned businesses are predominantly micro: 83 percent of The Gender Assessment of the Tourism Sector in The women-led businesses are solo ventures, compared to Gambia documents gender disparities and key issues 63 percent of male-led businesses. Moreover, less than hindering women’s participation and earnings in 1 percent of female-led businesses can be classified as tourism through the lens of employment, medium or large, highlighting the dearth of prominent entrepreneurship, and leadership. The assessment female business role models in the sector. Earnings are also examines cross-cutting factors such as policy and also lower, with median monthly profit for female-led institutional environment, education, and social businesses at 3000 GMD, compared to 5000 GMD for norms, which impact women’s economic opportunities male-led businesses. The limited diversity in the in the sector and influence their decision to enter and tourism sector, also limits entrepreneurship remain in the sector. The findings are based on opportunities, with most women entrepreneurs comprehensive desk research, semi-structured primarily engaged in souvenirs, fruit sellers, and interviews, and key informant interviews conducted in produce providers. One of the key issues facing person in The Gambia in May 2023. women tourism entrepreneurs is the lack of skills, including in handcraft skills that tends to limit women Despite women showing strong interest in vendors to selling crafts made elsewhere, but also in hospitality, reflected in higher enrollment rates than business management such as financial literacy skills. men in tourism and hospitality institutes, this is not The challenge also lies in the limited variety of markets translating into higher employment shares due to a and tourism segments available to showcase local combination of key supply- and demand-side barriers. products, as well as the weak connections to hotels, Gender employment disparities in Gambian tourism supermarkets, and online platforms. Additionally, lack reveal significant gaps favoring male workers over of market infrastructure and testing labs also limits female workers, though the gap narrows for part-time outlets where women can sell more innovative roles. Women constitute 35 percent of full-time Gambian-made items and consumption goods. employees in the tourism sector, compared to 65 percent for men, resulting in a gender gap of 29 On leadership, the underrepresentation of women in percentage points. Women are more likely to be hired decision-making and leadership roles in The Gambia has implications for the tourism sector, including the literature that shows the impact of training programs perpetuation of stigma and the hindrance of women’s that encompasses soft skills, network building and economic participation. Women in The Gambia only other key skills, alongside the high-level training. make up 8.6 percent of the parliament, with men Currently, there is a lack of new curriculum holding 91 percent of the seats, ranking The Gambia development and investment in managerial programs, 168 out of 186 countries globally. This scarcity of which include soft skills training that could benefit women in political leadership hinders the prioritization female students. Hotels choose most of their and implementation of legislative reforms and workforce from GTHI, but the institute primarily supportive interventions necessary to improve focuses on hospitality, leaving the tourism aspect women’s safety in the tourism sector and address The underexplored. There are untapped prospects to Gambia’s sex tourism reputation. Even though tourism expand school offerings to encompass subjects like globally provides better opportunities for women’s eco-tourism and events management, addressing the leadership than other sectors of the economy, none of growing facets of the tourism industry. the key public tourism players such as Gambia Tourism Board, Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute Most actors in the tourism ecosystem collect very (GTHI), and National Center for Arts and Culture limited sex-disaggregated data, which poses a (NCAC) are currently headed by women. On the private significant impediment to recognizing the challenges sector side, there is some female presence among encountered by women and developing sectoral General Managers of hotels; 3-4 out of approximately targeted interventions. There are opportunities for 40 hotels are women. Key informant interviews key organizations such as Gambia Tourism Board and highlight that having women in upper hotel GTHI to collect targeted data to document the gender management positions helped female staff feel more disparities, identify opportunity areas and track comfortable reporting sensitive issues, such as progress. Notably, The GTHI currently ceases alumni harassment. Women’s presence in leadership roles not tracking after six months, presenting an opportunity only inspires other female employees but also fosters for enhanced data collection and an imperative for a more inclusive and approachable workplace monitoring students’ post-work placement and atmosphere. program effectiveness. To make informed policy decisions, more gender disaggregated data is needed Another critical issue is the sector’s association with in the sector, particularly data on earnings. While there sex tourism which poses significant risks to women is information on employment in tourism, data on and men, including sexual exploitation and businesses or self-employment in tourism is less harassment and limits the development of other available. tourism segments. The Gambia’s reputation as a sex tourism destination impacts how workers, both female Emerging segments like conference and eco-tourism and male, interact with tourists and hotels/restaurants could provide opportunities for greater and safer and other actors supporting either tacitly or explicitly women’s involvement. Diversification of tourism this type of tourism. And, with “bumsters” often segments carries new possibilities for women’s pushing for front-facing jobs, such as waiters or economic involvement while also boosting the bartenders, to maximize interaction with guests, not economy. For example, eco-tourism offers more only does this tend to push women from those jobs, environmentally and socially sustainable practices as but also the ill-repute of these kind of workers they often purposely hire and source from local prevents women from pursuing them, despite the women. Conference tourism is an emerging area that higher income potential from tips. could offer more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women, that are not related to the In terms of tourism education, while women are the more stigmatized accommodation tourism. majority of students in formal tourism programs, they largely lack the high-level and soft skills training Key to supporting Gambian women in tourism will be needed for career progression, and the school to the creation of a safer work environment, better primarily serves the “workforce” level in hospitality, policies and strong enforcement. In terms of pointing to an opportunity for new curriculum legislation, stronger legislation and rigorous development in The Gambia. There is a large body of implementation of safety protocols are lacking to cultivate a secure and empowering working environment for women in the tourism industry, and training against sexual exploitation and fostering their participation and advancement free harassment and establish safe and confidential from harassment and discrimination. The Women, grievance mechanisms. On the government side, Business and the Law 2024 (WBL) report highlights that enforcement mechanisms must be credible with real The Gambia needs improvement enacting legislation consequences for offenders. Other support for protecting women from sexual harassment and women’s involvement should include diversifying adopting criminal or civil penalties for sexual tourism activities, enhancing skill sets, and facilitating harassment in employment. On the private sector side, market development and connections. tourism businesses should implement explicit policies Introduction the second biggest contributor to The Gambia’s Gross Introduction Domestic Product (GDP) and a key source of job creation, including for women. In many countries, tourism is a sector with one of the lowest gender The travel and tourism sector has demonstrated a participation gaps, however, in The Gambia, the gap greater capacity to offer women increased between women and men’s participation in tourism employment opportunities in comparison to other (as measured by gender disaggregated employment sectors, thereby presenting a significant potential for data) is 28 percent, which is higher than the 8.5 women’s advancement within the economy. percent gap between women’s and men’s overall According to the UN Global Report on Women and participation rate in the labor force. The assessment Tourism by World Tourism Organization, tourism aims to understand women’s participation in the offers superior opportunities for women’s tourism sector in The Gambia where gender inequality participation in the workforce, women’s is among the highest in the region and the world. More entrepreneurship, and women’s leadership than other specifically, the assessment aims to demonstrate the sectors of the economy. For example, the report found gender disparities in participation and earnings; assess that women are nearly twice as likely to be employers the underlying barriers and binding constraints to in the tourism sector than in any other industry women’s participation and better economic outcomes (UNWTO, 2010). Women are also more likely to be in tourism; and provide targeted recommendations to involved in tourism due to the unique characteristics of be incorporated during the implementation of the the tourism sector. In general, the barriers to entry are World Bank Tourism Diversification and Resilience in low, particularly in terms of skill and educational The Gambia project (P177179). requirements and capital needs for entrepreneurial initiatives. There is less emphasis on formal education The assessment explores key issues in women’s and training and greater emphasis on interpersonal employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership and hospitality skills. There are increased options for within The Gambia’s tourism sector, while examining entrepreneurship that do not require heavy start-up cross-cutting factors which impact women’s financing. Moreover, the nature of the work can be economic opportunities in the sector and influences flexible in terms of work hours, as well as part-time or on their decision to enter and remain in the sector. To full-time employment. guide policies and programs within tourism that aim to enhance women’s economic empowerment, this Conversely, jobs in tourism are also likely to be low assessment analyzes through the lens of wage earning, businesses tend to be smaller, less well- employment, entrepreneurship (including self- capitalized and informal, particularly for women- employment), and leadership, as interventions and owned businesses. Due to its predominantly informal stakeholders are different. Policies, education, and structure, the tourism sector can pose significant risks social norms are analyzed as important contextual for women, particularly in terms of trafficking, factors determining outcomes in the three areas. In exploitation, sexual abuse, and harassment. These addition, the assessment unpacks the impact of dangers are more pronounced for women in low- diversification of tourism activities, such as eco- income countries like The Gambia, where they often tourism and conference tourism, on women’s occupy vulnerable positions within the industry. economic outcomes and participation. Additionally, if women voice concerns about working conditions, such as in certain hotels or kitchens, they The assessment presents findings from may face consequences such as job loss, unilateral comprehensive desk research, semi-structured reduction of hours, or enduring physical/sexual abuse interviews and key informant interviews conducted from colleagues or clients, further exacerbating the in-person in The Gambia in May 2023, and is exploitative nature of the industry. structured as follows: Section 2 presents the methodology, including the assessment framework, The Gender Assessment of the Tourism Sector in The data collection method and key stakeholders. Section 3 provides the background on the country context and Gambia aims to document the existing gender status of gender equality in The Gambia while also disparities and key gender challenges in tourism for unpacking different types of tourism in the context of inclusive economic growth in The Gambia. Tourism is women’s existing and future economic opportunities. Section 4 presents the gender gap analysis in women’s provides a list of recommendations to improve employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership. women’s participation in tourism, including in the Section 5 dives into the tourism ecosystem context of the World Bank Tourism Diversification and assessment, which looks at policies, supporting Resilience in The Gambia Project (Box I). institutions, and cultural norms. Finally, Section 6, BOX I. The World Bank Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project The World Bank Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project (US$ 68 million) aims to improve the diversification and resilience of the Gambian tourism sector by strengthening institutional and policy framework, improving capabilities and access to funds for tourism-related Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) suppliers, and building resilience through the strengthening of sustainable coastal infrastructure and rehabilitation of existing tourism sites. The project also takes a targeted approach to integrate gender actions across its project components and leverages significant global knowledge and experience in tourism recovery and small and medium enterprises upgrading initiatives, particularly related to building back better in a post COVID-19 environment. This Gender Assessment provides recommendations to improve gender-inclusivity under the project’s Component 1, Policy Framework and MSME participation. The interventions under this component aim to address selected key bottlenecks in the tourism ecosystem in The Gambia, to ensure the sector realizes its potential as a source of sustainable and inclusive growth. Activities focus on (a) strengthening capacity for collecting relevant tourism data to inform policy decision-making; (b) enhancing marketing to promote recovery and diversification beyond traditional source markets and segments; and (c) promoting the diversification of the destination and products beyond ‘sun and sea’. MSMEs, identified by large firms and meeting the eligibility criteria, will be provided technical and compliance support during business planning, technology selections/adoption, contract negotiations, and product quality and productivity improvements (for example, improving management capacity, adopting digital and climate technologies, and enabling them to meet quantity and quality requirements of lead firms). In addition, this component will take a targeted approach to provide coaching to women entrepreneurs for enhanced business development skills and tailored mentoring by leveraging existing women entrepreneurs’ network in the country. Section 2 to support women’s employment and Methodology entrepreneurship, but it is also a key outcome on its own. While assessing the status of women in leadership roles within tourism and more broadly, 2.1 Framework women’s presence in broader decision-making mechanisms is also taken into consideration. The Gender Gap Analysis examines women’s participation in tourism through three lenses: The Gambian Tourism Ecosystem Assessment Employment, Entrepreneurship and Leadership. examines the enabling environment for women’s Employment and Entrepreneurship are seen as economic participation through three cross-cutting principal objectives for increasing women’s areas: policy and institutional environment, tourism participation and earnings in tourism. They are treated education and social norms. These are explored as the separately as the stakeholders and interventions can key external factors contributing to women’s be very different than that of men. For example, how outcomes in employment, entrepreneurship, and to encourage hotels to hire more women staff requires leadership. a different intervention than how to encourage hotels to procure from women-owned enterprises. The third Table 1 covers the framework and key areas to pillar, Leadership is seen both as an enabling factor examine the barriers and binding constraints to that can support bringing about the necessary policies increasing and improving women’s participation in the sector. Table 1: Gender Assessment Framework for the Tourism Sector Gender Assessment of the Tourism Employment Entrepreneurship Leadership Sector Gender disparity in Gender disparity in Where/how do women participation and earnings participation and earnings participate in leadership What are the gender and decision making in disparities? Type of jobs (high value vs Type of businesses (informal the tourism sector? How low value) and composition micro, etc.) and the info on does this compare to in sub-sectors sub-sectors men? Key issues: - Supply Side (transport, Key issues: Key issues: training, sexual - Skills - Representation What are the key exploitation/ - Access to Finance - Gender discrimination issues / barriers? harassment, safety) - Access to Markets - Skills shortages at - Demand Side (employer - Access to Networks, managerial levels bias, hiring practices, and Information - Sexual harassment legal barriers) Hotels (hiring) Women-led businesses Government agencies Restaurants Hotels and other larger Who are the key Associations MSMEs – e.g., tour operators firms (procuring) stakeholders? Political representation Training Institutions Intermediaries/NGOs Other policy stakeholders and community organizations Ecosystem Factors (Cross-cutting) • Policy and Institutional Environment • Education and Skills • Social Norms and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) including Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) 2.2 Data collection carried out 33 individual interviews, including 23 with key informants, and organized a focus group involving eight women entrepreneurs from various industries within the tourism value chain, facilitated by the Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Key informants included representatives from industry associations; heads of training institutes; managers of The first step in the assessment was desk research. direct tourism service providers in accommodation, The World Bank Group’s Gender Data Portal, The tour excursion and restaurants; enterprise support United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) organizations (ESOs); development partners; NGOs; Gender Development Index, World Economic Forum and a former policy maker (Table 2). Key informant Global Gender Gap Report, and Women, Business, and interviews took around 30 minutes to one hour. In the Law provided useful initial background information on how The Gambia was performing on gender addition, the authors held ten informal individual interviews with hotel staff, craft sellers, fruit sellers, equality. The National Tourism Strategy, National and tour guides. Gender Strategy, and the World Bank Country Partnership Framework provided an understanding of The in-person assessment also resulted in the the broader policy landscape of the country. The assessment also noted descriptive statistics on gender collection of data from tourism organizations, though finding sex-disaggregated data was a challenge gaps shared in country surveys or in other surveys such throughout the assessment. The team also uncovered as World Bank Enterprise Surveys. further data collected by the Gambia Tourism Board and the GTHI during the in-person assessment. This Recent research conducted in The Gambia additional information filled some gaps in data and contributed invaluable insights to the gender provided a complementary analysis, but more data will assessment of the tourism sector. Some of these need to be systematically collected to shed light on the resources include The Gambia Poverty and Gender issues women face in the tourism industry as well as Assessment 2022, Policies for Sustainable and Inclusive any progress made going forward. Private Sector-led Growth: Achieving Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, The Gambia and the Project Appraisal Document of the Tourism Diversification and The assessment’s focus was primarily on urban tourism centers, though it investigated community- Resilience in The Gambia (P177179) among others. based tourism in rural areas which carries a potential for The Gambian tourism and women’s economic Following the desk research, the assessment opportunities. The in-person consultations mostly undertook a mapping of the stakeholders with a few important considerations. First, the authors identified took place around urbanized centers such as Serrakunda and Banjul, except for a few ecolodges several actors in the five economic activities that located near the south-western coastal area where site generate revenues and income in the tourism sector – visits and interviews with workers were conducted. transport, accommodations, excursions, food and Even though the assessment did not conduct in-depth beverage, and shopping. Depending on the size of each interviews in villages, interviews with vendors around sub-economic activity and the conditions in the field, Kunta Kinteh Island and with community-based the authors interviewed several stakeholders to reflect tourism actors such as Institute of Travel and Tourism diversity of experience and opinion. In addition, in The Gambia were undertaken. The assessment relevant stakeholder suggestions by the Project recognizes the key linkages, especially agricultural, Implementation Unit of the current Gambia Tourism between the rural economy and the tourism and Resilience project were included in the list. Finally, the assessment tried to ensure a balance of female and ecosystem. Where necessary, the analysis tried to fill in the gap with the study, Barriers to Economic male participants in the stakeholder meetings. Empowerment of Rural Women in The Gambia, which has a strong focus on rural women and findings from Key informant interviews and focus group discussions relevant key informant interviews. were conducted in The Gambia in May 2023. The team Table 2: Stakeholder Consultations – The Gambia Section 3 Arrival Statistics in 2022, international arrivals by air The Gambia Context were only at 77.5 percent of pre-COVID levels (Gambia Tourism Board, 2022). 3.1 Tourism in The Gambia The Gambia possesses a rich asset base but has barely diversified away from ‘sun and sea’ tourism into other Situated on the western coast of Africa, The Gambia, areas such as eco-tourism and cultural tourism. with a population of 2.4 million, spans along the According to the World Economic Forum Travel and banks of the Gambia River, providing it with a unique Tourism Competitiveness Report, The Gambia ranks 61 geography and diverse ecosystems. Bordered by out of 136 countries when it comes to the total number Senegal on three sides, The Gambia is the smallest of known fauna species and 54 on the attractiveness of country on the mainland continent but draw tourists natural assets index (World Economic Forum, 2017). It from around the world. One of the primary sources of is also among the countries with the highest number of tourism in The Gambia is its coastline, stretching for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural approximately 80 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean. Organization (UNESCO) sites in the Sub-Saharan The Gambia is mainly a sun and sea tourism destination region, with two cultural heritage sites (Stone Circles of with two main seasons: high season from November to Senegambia and Kunta Kinteh Island), and one April (dry season) and low season from May to October intangible expression of culture (the “Roots” Festival, (rainy season). commemorating the experiences of the descendants of African slaves who were taken from the region Tourism is an important contributor to The Gambia’s during the transatlantic slave trade). Nevertheless, GDP and a vital source of jobs; however the sector many tourist sites are currently in a state of disrepair lags its competitors due to fewer arrivals, shorter and are poorly maintained, requiring substantial stays, and lower tourism expenditures. These renovation and improvements. challenges mainly result from limited diversification in source markets, distribution channels, and product Climate change and coastal erosion have a direct offering and leads to high seasonality, modest spillover impact on cultural products and goods in the country. effects, and susceptibility to climate risks and shocks. Kunta Kinteh Island, a World Heritage Site, is shrinking Pre-pandemic, tourism was estimated to directly in size annually, with part of it now submerged in the contribution between 12 and 16 percent of GDP, ocean, endangering its integrity and tourism value. The supporting over 42,000 jobs directly and an additional infrastructure challenges due to climate change and 40,000 jobs indirectly (UNDP, 2020). It generated an low maintenance are some of the key issues tackled by annual US$ 85 million in foreign exchange earnings, the World Bank’s Tourism Diversification and making it the country’s number one foreign exchange Resilience in The Gambia project. Moreover, earner (World Bank, 2022c). However, the stark considering that over half of the nation’s population disparity in seasonal variations, with low-season resides in urban regions and around 80 percent of the passenger arrivals comprising only about 40 percent of urban population is situated within a 20 km range of those in the high season, remains a critical concern the Atlantic coast, the anticipated increase in sea levels impacting both employment rates and earnings within presents a significant peril to the local population, the industry. including stakeholders ranging from fishers to hotels across the spectrum of the tourism supply chain. The Gambia attracts tourists mostly from a few select markets in Europe but is trying to expand its reach to The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to massive other countries. According to The Gambia Tourism downsizes in personnel and closures of activity within Board, the United Kingdom is the lead market and the sector, also disproportionately impacting women. British visitors constitute 17 percent of all visitors and The accommodation sector was the most affected with 42 percent of visitors coming from traditional markets. about 94 percent of establishments reducing staff level It is followed by Netherlands (8 percent of all visitors (The Gambia Bureau of Statistics, 2020). In 2020, there and 19 percent of visitors from traditional markets), was a 62 percent drop in air arrivals over 2019. Spain, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, According to World Travel & Tourism Council 2022, and Finland. According to The Gambia Tourism Board tourism’s contribution to GDP sharply fell to 7 percent in 2020 from 15 percent in 2019. However, the sector is showing signs of recovery as income from tourism prescribe distinct responsibilities for men and women, has increased considerably from an estimated US$58.7 reinforcing the perception that women should million in 2021 to US$184.1 million in 2022 (Gambia primarily be responsible for domestic duties and Tourism Board, 2022). Women, who are caregiving, while men are expected to take on roles predominantly employed in service roles, faced that involve decision-making and economic activities. heightened vulnerability to income insecurity during Starting from a young age, girls are exposed to the the pandemic. The impact on women in the tourism notion that boys are the ones meant to be leaders, industry was exacerbated by the substantial number which persist as they grow older, with institutions and engaged in informal employment. When women in the communities further reinforcing this message (UN, tourism sector operate within informal businesses or 2022). as self-employed workers in the informal sector, they generally have low savings and no monetary support, Intrahousehold dynamics exert a significant influence especially compared to those in formal jobs. These on the outcomes of women’s empowerment efforts. issues are commonly linked to such informal work While enhancing the access to economic arrangements, rendering them more susceptible to opportunities, the distribution of resources, economic shocks and crises (International Labour responsibilities, and decision-making power within a Organization, 2022). household can profoundly impact a woman’s ability to fully participate in and benefit from these 3.2 Status of Women in The Gambia opportunities. According to The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) The gender gaps in Gambia are substantial. According Development Centre’s Social Institutions and Gender to the 2023 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Index (SIGI), The Gambia experiences notable levels of Report, the country ranks 119th out of 146 countries in discrimination within households, highlighting gender equality. In the UNDP Gender Inequality Index, significant power imbalances among family members. which analyzes three dimensions—reproductive When it comes to who decides how household money health, empowerment, and the labor market—Gambia is spent, one survey reveals that men are considerably ranks 153rd out of 170 countries. And more broadly, in more likely than women to say they make such the UNDP Human Development Index, which measures decisions themselves (61 percent vs. 44 percent). More progress in basic dimensions of human development, women than men say they decide jointly with their Gambia ranks 174 out of 191 countries and is placed in spouse (28 percent vs. 10 percent) (Afrobarometer, the low human development category. 2023). These dynamics could also yield far-reaching outcomes. Given that men are regarded as household Women and girls in Gambia experience a complex leaders, women might face a higher likelihood of job web of challenges. According to World Bank Gender displacement during off-peak periods, owing to the Data Portal, only 51 percent of women aged 15 and perception that men are responsible for family above can read and write compared to 62.5 percent of support. This situation might already be in effect since men. The gap in adult literacy between men and women often engage in part-time or seasonal women is larger than the gap in the Sub-Saharan Africa employment. (SSA) average. Child marriage remains prevalent, disrupting education, endangering young mothers, and Women lack access to paid work and labor market perpetuating poverty and gender inequality. Despite opportunities are particularly limited for young the criminalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) women. In The Gambia, the labor force participation in The Gambia, the practice remains prevalent. About rate (proportion of the population ages 15 and older 50 of percent girls aged 0-14 years have undergone that is economically active) among females is 57.3 FGM, and this rate goes up to 75 per cent of women percent and among males is 65.8 percent for 2022 and girls, aged 15-49, who have undergone some form (World Bank Gender Data Portal, 2022). Women are of FGM (United Nations Population Fund, 2013). 3.7-times more likely to be unpaid helpers in family businesses, and 26 percent more likely to be engaged Women’s roles are often delineated by traditional in subsistence agriculture (World Bank, 2022c). Most gender norms, impacting their access to education, women are in vulnerable employment, which means employment opportunities, and decision-making they are less likely to have formal work arrangements, power. In The Gambia, traditional gender roles often social protection, and safety nets to guard against 50–70 percent of all tourists. This sub-segment economic shocks; thus, they are more likely to fall into remains the main attraction for about 80 percent of poverty. Vulnerable employment among women is tourists and allows ITOs to control 70 percent of all air 81.3 percent and among men is 62.7 percent in The access and international marketing, as well as Gambia for 2019 (World Bank Gender Data Portal, contribute 85 percent of all hotel revenues (World 2019). Bank Group, 2022d). This assessment analyzes women’s participation in the hotel workforce and the The level of women's involvement in decision-making role of women-led businesses in the hotel value chains and leadership roles in The Gambia continues to be in the gender gap analysis section. limited. Women in The Gambia ranks 132nd out of 146 countries on the political empowerment of women The diversification of the tourism offering in The according to the 2023 World Economic Forum Global Gambia, especially conference tourism, eco-tourism, Gender Gap Report. Women's roles are often and community-based tourism could lead to delineated by traditional gender norms, impacting promising economic outcomes for women, both in their access to education, employment opportunities, terms of improving women’s employment and and decision-making power. Like many places women-led MSMEs accessing new markets, worldwide, gender-based violence (GBV) is a contributing to inclusive economic growth significant concern in The Gambia, with one in four opportunities. Due to limited diversification, women having been subjected to physical and/or distribution channels, and product offerings, Gambia sexual violence by a current or former intimate currently lags behind its competitors. The partner. diversification carries new possibilities for women’s economic involvement in the sector while also In the domain of self-employment, where a broadening the sector and boosting the economy. significant number of women are involved, women face difficulties in opening bank accounts and For example, conference tourism is an emerging area accessing formal credit due to underlying constraints that could bring in international visitors and shorten which disadvantage women. According to Global the low season. With the opening of a state-of-the-art Findex Database, 33 percent of Gambia’s population convention center in August 2020, Gambia has seen an above age 15 has an account at a financial institution influx of local, regional, and international conferences or through a mobile money provider. In 2022, 38 being hosted there, and demand is expected to percent of men had an account while 28 percent of continue growing. According to the Gambia Tourism women did so, almost 10 percentage point gender gap Board Arrivals Report, Business and Conference in account ownership (World Bank Global Findex visitors were up by 3 percent in 2022. Conference Database, 2021). In terms of accessing credit, women tourism can also serve to entice attendees to extend lack collateral to secure loans. For example, only 9 their stays, or return, either by themselves or with percent of women own a land, compared to 31 percent their families, provided they have exposure to of men, and only 16.8 percent of women, compared to attractions and experiences that make it desirable to 40.6 percent of men, owned a dwelling either alone or return. Conference tourism boosts accommodation jointly (World Bank Gender Data Portal). Distance to stays, creating additional demand for hospitality bank branches is also more of an impediment for needs. And although the conference center itself women than for men, as women have lower mobility, currently has limited staff, there are several direct and more responsibilities for caring for children, and lack indirect jobs that feed into the conferences, including means of transportation – only 2 percent of women in event planning, translators, catering, technology and one study owned a means of transport versus 58 audio-visual services, marketing and promotion, percent of men (UNCDF, 2019). entertainment, retail and gift bag preparation, etc. This expansion of employment opportunities in tourism for 3.3 Tourism Segments in The Gambia: Potential for women extends beyond conventional roles, like those Women's Participation in hotels and restaurants, which are often subject to The beach—referred to as 'sun and sea'—is by far the stigma. More importantly, the growth of other tourism most popular tourism attraction, and heavily reliant segments, such as conference tourism, can help on International Tour Operators (ITOs) who bring in detract from The Gambia’s lingering sex tourism reputation and build a tourism segment that is more Convention Center became one of Africa’s top professionally oriented and more inviting for women conference destinations, providing insights into best to participate. Box II highlights how the Kigali practices The Gambia could also adopt. BOX II. Conference Tourism in Rwanda Rwanda has emerged as a burgeoning hub for conference tourism, experiencing significant growth in recent years. Fueled by a combination of strategic investments in infrastructure, proactive marketing efforts, and a stable political environment, the country has attracted an increasing number of international conferences and events. The Kigali Convention Centre, opened in 2013 with its state-of-the-art facilities and world-class amenities, has played a pivotal role in positioning Rwanda as a premier destination for conferences and conventions. In 2018, conference tourism brought in about 20 percent of the tourism revenue, or $56 million. Kigali is currently ranked second in African cities for number of conferences hosted, succeeded only by Cape Town (ICAA 2022). Additionally, the government's commitment to sustainability and conservation, evident in initiatives like the ban on single-use plastics, has bolstered Rwanda's appeal among environmentally conscious conference organizers. Rwanda's strategic location in East Africa, along with its visa-on-arrival policy for many nationalities, has made it an attractive and accessible destination for participants from across the globe. Eco-tourism is a relatively new but growing segment. the Gambia River, was designed to promote travel Spread further upstream of Banjul, the ecolodges offer during the low season, between May and October. Its quiet retreats in eco-friendly lodging and surroundings. focus is on sustainable tourism to benefit host Eco-tourism offers more environmentally and socially communities, businesses and the environment. sustainable practices as they often hire and source Gambia Tourism Board has a code of conduct for Ninki from local women, providing one of the few Nakka Trail tour operators—both domestic and employment opportunities in these remote international—including a condition to be an ethical communities. According to the Rapid Assessment business with decent employment practices, and to conducted in the beginning of COVID by the Gambia maintain a policy on gender equality and decent Bureau of Statistics, women constitute 43.5 percent of working conditions. the ecolodge workforce, higher than hotels where women make up 30 percent of the workforce. Research shows that developing nature-based and However, compared to hotels, eco-lodges still sustainable tourism could also help attract high-value represent a much smaller portion of employment tourism. Recent World Bank consumer research on opportunities. Ecolodges—which are also smaller in three key European outbound markets (Germany, scale—only account for 4.5 percent of the Sweden, United Kingdom), which are also important accommodation establishments in the country, for the Gambian tourism, identified five market whereas hotels constitute 28.3 percent1. segments amongst travelers (World Bank, 2022b). Three of these segments, which account for 66 percent Eco-tourism combines well with community-based of respondents, focus on nature-based and sustainable tourism, creating additional employment tourism and are the highest spending of all traveler opportunities for women, such as birdwatching tours, types. These tourists actively seek distinctive cooking demos, etc. This is line with various studies experiences, aspire to connect with local communities which show that women could be psychologically, and enterprises, view travel as a means of education, socially, economically, and politically empowered by and are committed to sustainable practices. Attracting their participation in ecotourism ventures (Samal and more of this tourist segments by changing the Dash, 2023). Ninki Nakka trail, which offers marketing strategy and increasing the supply of active, community-based tourism in rural communities along nature-based experiences, coupled with targeted 1 Calculated based on the data provided in the Rapid Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism Sector. The remaining tourism accommodations: lodges, apartments, guesthouses, camps, and motels/hostels. strategies to employ women, could positively impact Makasutu Culture Forest and Canoeing, beach and women both as producers of local goods and services adventure drive, Kunta Kinteh slave-trading station, but also actors in community-based and eco-tourism. and private car touring. Cruise excursions bought through the cruise line are far more expensive–a trip Women are present in festivals and performance to Kunta Kinteh is $279 compared to $90 bought from poetry, but there are areas of culture tourism which local tour operators, indicating that cruise passengers are male dominated, carrying potential for higher can be a good source of revenues, particularly if female participation. Culture tourism includes excursions and activities can be credibly booked historical sites, museums, festivals, performing arts, locally. Expanding the variety of excursion gastronomy, and special events, among others (UNESCO, 2023). One key player of the Gambian On the darker side, unfortunately, The Gambia carries culture tourism is the NCAC. Women are present in the stigma of being a destination for sex tourism, of festivals in organizing, showcasing culture and both male and female sex workers. Particularly provisioning food and other items. One such example notable is its reputation as a hotspot for European is Kankurang Festival, which takes place 300km from women seeking male companionship, though the Banjul. It attracts local and international tourists, reverse is also prevalent. The Gambia’s reputation as a including the Gambian diaspora. NCAC is also sex tourism destination impacts how workers, both responsible to upgrade historical sites, despite actively female and male, interact with tourists and trying to recruit women, most of the guides are male. hotels/restaurants and other actors supporting either Similarly, the number of female painters has been tacitly or explicitly this type of tourism. Locally, the increasing lately but it is an area which is still male term “bumster” refers to a beach boy, typically a young dominated. In terms of visibility of culture events for man who is a member of the host community who tourists, there are challenges in finding information on frequents beaches and hotel areas to engage with what is happening in the culture scene, such as finding tourists. They offer various tourist activities and traditional music, galleries, and other activities. NCAC excursions, alongside providing sexual or 'romantic' uses billboards or media which have a limited impact services in exchange for monetary gain or other on tourists. Most is word of mouth attracting repeat benefits. Unfortunately, The Gambia's association with tourists. There are new initiatives to increase the bumsters acts as a deterrent to the growth of the visibility of the cultural offerings such as the MyGambia tourism sector, as highlighted consistently by 70 site, which serves as a local tourism information and percent of surveyed tourists (World Bank, 2019b). booking platform as well. Sex tourism impacts women’s participation and Cruise passengers also disembark in The Gambia for vulnerability in tourism at many levels. Bumsters excursions, which could provide opportunities to often push for front-facing jobs, such as waiters or diversify experiences and expand women’s economic bartenders, to maximize interaction with guests. Not involvement in this segment. The International only does this tend to push women from those jobs, Finance Corporation (IFC) found that satisfaction with but also the ill-repute of these kind of workers the variety of things to see, do, and purchase and prevents women from pursuing them, despite the length of time spent in port drive spending by cruise higher income potential from tips. Hence, women are passengers (World Bank, 2023). Economic impact of often relegated to lower-paying "behind-the-scenes" cruise tourism depends on the number of ships per roles like housekeeping, exposing them to potential year and ports of call per ship, along with individual predatory behaviors from guests. With some hotels passenger spending. Currently, an estimated 9-11 willing to turn a blind eye or even encourage sex cruises (approximately 10,000 passengers2) stop at The tourism, this reinforces the stigma of the sector and Gambia per year, though there is currently no data on lowers women’s participation in it. Senegal, like The disembarkations or expenditures3. Currently, the Gambia, also had a strong sex tourism reputation, cruise lines offer very limited off-shore excursions, however they were able to dampen it by implementing such as tours of Banjul, Abuko Nature Reserve, multi-faceted measures (Box III). Tourism is also a 2 Estimated based on this website. 3 Data on Cruise Ship visitors are collected by the Gambia Ports Authority. Gambia Tourism Board (GTB) collects data on air and land arrivals, but there is an opportunity for GTB to track the number of cruise passengers and the potential on The Gambian tourism. sector which carries risks of sexual harassment and sessions for police, immigration, and airport personnel abuse. The risks of child SEA, trafficking, and of forced focused on identifying trafficking victims and prostitution of women and children linked to the understanding the National Referral Mechanism tourism sector are high in The Gambia. Many young (NRM). Additionally, the Tourism Security Unit women and boys are also trafficked under the guise of underwent training to enhance their ability to employment in Europe to support their families recognize trafficking instances within the tourism reinforces the social stigma of the sector. There have industry and to improve their interviewing skills. been efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex Nevertheless, the efficacy of these efforts was acts and child sex tourism by providing anti-trafficking hindered by challenges such as regular staff turnover, training to hospitality sector employees and posting inadequate resources, and a limited capacity to Tourism Security Unit officers in the Tourism oversee areas beyond the capital city (US Department Development Area. The government collaborated with of State, 2022). an international organization to organize training BOX III. Changing Senegal’s Sex Tourism Reputation Through a multifaceted approach encompassing legislative measures, community engagement, and strategic rebranding efforts, Senegal has successfully navigated away from its once-notorious reputation as a destination for sex tourism. The Senegalese government implemented stringent laws and regulations targeting the exploitation of individuals in the sex industry, cracking down on establishments facilitating such activities and prosecuting perpetrators involved in trafficking and exploitation. Concurrently, community-based initiatives and awareness campaigns were launched to educate both locals and tourists about the damaging effects of sex tourism and promote alternative forms of tourism that highlight Senegal's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and hospitality. Moreover, the government collaborated with international organizations and NGOs to develop sustainable tourism strategies aimed at diversifying the tourism sector and attracting visitors interested in authentic cultural experiences and ecotourism. Through these concerted efforts, Senegal has managed to shed some of its sex tourism stigma and emerge as a destination celebrated for its vibrant culture, warm hospitality, and responsible tourism practices. Section 4 Gender Gap Analysis 4.1 Gender Disparity in Employment Figure 1) and women’s participation within each of these activities vary as do the explanations and the There are five key economic activities that generate interventions needed. revenues and income in the tourism sector – transport, accommodations, excursions, food & beverage, and shopping ( Figure 1: Key Components of Tourism Source: Tourism for Development: Tourism Diagnostic Toolkit In all key economic activities of Gambian tourism, with women comprising 42 percent and men at 58 male workers are employed at higher numbers than percent of part-time employees (Table 3). Part-time women, with the gender gap smaller for part-time work represents about 12 percent of total (full and work in some activities. Women constitute 35 percent part-time) work. In contrast, seasonal work represents of all full-time employees in the tourism sector about 58 percent of total work, and hence represents compared to 65 percent of men, with a resulting quite a swing in terms of employment. The data on gender gap of 29 percentage points. The gender gap in seasonal employment shows similar engagement employment drops to 16 percent for part-time work, levels and gaps across the sectors. Table 3: Gender Gap in Employment Ratios by Tourism Activity Percent of Seasonal Percent of full time Percent of Part Time Total FT + PT Workers Category Male Female Gap Male Female Gap Male Female Gap Male Female Gap Accommodations 67 33 34 52 48 3 65 35 31 67 33 33 Food, Beverage, 57 43 15 64 36 28 58 42 16 61 39 21 Entertainment Transport 85 15 70 89 11 78 86 14 71 88 12 77 Other Tourism 62 38 24 60 40 20 62 38 23 62 38 24 Establishments Total 65 35 29 58 42 16 64 36 28 66 34 32 Source: Author’s calculation based on the Tourism Establishment Survey Report, The Gambia Bureau of Statistics, 2018. Two-thirds of the tourism jobs are heavily establishments. The next largest employment area is concentrated in the accommodation sector - food, beverage, and entertainment. Food, Beverage, accounting for 64 percent of men’s and 58 percent of and Entertainment account for nearly a quarter of the women’s tourism employment (Table 4). For part- tourism jobs and close to one third of women’s time work, the gender gap in accommodation employment in the sector. employment drops to 3 percentage points, showing that women are more likely to be hired as part time employees in hotels and other accommodation Table 4: Where do Women vs Men work in Tourism? Female Male Both Accommodations 58% 64% 62% Food, Beverages, Entertainment 29% 21% 24% Transport 1% 4% 3% Other Tourism Establishments 11% 10% 11% Total 100% 100% 100% Source: Tourism Establishment Survey Report, The Gambia Bureau of Statistics, 2018. Hotels constitute more than one quarter of all waitresses, housekeeping staff or as managers in HR, accommodation jobs but only one third of hotel finance, and marketing. They are more likely to be employees are female4. Women work as receptionists, part-time or paid seasonal workers. Among the large 4 Percentage distribution of the establishment employees by sex. Source: Rapid Assessment of the COVID-19 on Tourism and Related Sectors hotels, data collected by one study5 shows that women hotel industry, due to a combination of key supply represent on average 15 percent of the workforce, and demand-side barriers. Female labor force ranging from a minimum of 4 percent to a maximum of participation remains low due to lack of skills, assets 35 percent. These figures are below the global average and networks, time-based constraints, limited of 54 percent of women’s participation in hotel mobility, gender discrimination in hiring and employment (World Travel & Tourism Council, 2019) promotion, and restrictive gender norms (Halim, (though these are heavily based on G20 countries), O’Sullivan and Sahay, 2023). Key informant interviews but, for example, also below Cabo Verde’s female suggest that women are switching to alternative jobs participation rates of 60 percent in the hospitality and or self-employment due to an interplay of factors. accommodation sector (Alarcón and Gomes, 2023). Within the tourism and hospitality sector, women Transport and Excursions are heavily male often work restricted hours, potentially leading to a dominated. According to 2018 data, 85 percent of full bias in favor of male candidates during the hiring time and 89 percent of part time workers in transport process. Most businesses have a policy of not hiring are male. Excursions are also male dominated, with women for shifts after 4 p.m. Though this is not a legal almost all tour guides in the country being male. Being requirement, it is a de facto practice due to a variety of a tour guide is seen as not a possibility once a woman cited reasons, including safety and gender norms. is married or has children, mainly for the long hours Consequently, this practice may result in a preference excursions may take, or if the clients are only male. for hiring men who can work both day and night shifts. Despite the rarity of female workers in this segment, Interviews with ecolodges point to better hiring there are a few female-owned tour operator outfits. practices of women, but even in eco-tourism, Gambian women still face challenges in working late. From interviews, a typical hotel employee makes about 6000 Dalasi a month, about a US$100 a month, Tourism businesses may be favoring women for part- while this amount is higher for chefs and managers. time rather than full-time work, partly due to Interviews with local tour operators suggests that a maternity policy. Employers are legally obligated to tour guide could make around 1000 Dalasi a trip and in provide a 6-month paid maternity leave for full time a good season, with two to three trips a week. For female employees, while paid paternity leave is community guides in rural areas, local guides could available up to 10 days. Some interviews suggest that earn up to 3000 Dalasi (US$50) a month. For the most this disparity leads to a preference for hiring women part, women were absent as guides, except in bird for part-time positions or favoring male candidates. In watching at some of the national parks, which was a contrast, in countries like São Tomé and Príncipe, relatively low paying guide job. The more lucrative jobs where social security covers the leave, this bias is in the tourism sector include chefs, managerial eliminated. The Women, Business and the Law 2023 positions, HR, marketing, and tour guides—however report lists ‘laws affecting women's work after having aside from HR and marketing, these were mainly male- children’ as one area for improvement to improve legal dominated positions. equality for women in The Gambia. Offering only leave for mothers, especially above a threshold of 30 weeks, Employment issues can be correlated with fewer women in the workforce (Del Rey, Kyriacou and Silva, 2021)6. Studies also show Women show strong willingness to participate in the that a smaller gap between mothers’ and fathers’ leave hospitality industry, given their enrollment rates in is associated with a higher female labor force the tourism and hospitality institute are higher than participation rate. men, but this is not translating to employment in the 5 Based on the report, Improving Support for MSMEs in the Tourism Sector in The Gambia, put together by PD Consult for The World Bank Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project 6 The work of Del Rey, Kyriacou, and Silva were cited in the World Bank Women, Business and the Law 2023 report. BOX IV. Cruise Ship Recruitment and Employment Issues Cruise ship recruitment actively targets individuals from The Gambia, with demand for positions reaching approximately 5000 people. However, the recruitment company can only fill about 1000 positions, of which 40 percent are female. As the cruise ships require prior work experience, the hospitality students who have completed an intern placement are more likely to be selected for these positions. Despite the longer working hours and extended absence from home, cruise ship salaries exceed hotel salaries over ten times and often include health benefits, food and lodging, making them quite an attractive alternative for the hospitality staff. Most hotels are pushing back against the cruise ship recruitments as talented and experienced staff opt for the cruise ships and are unlikely return to their former jobs. However, the skills they bring back are notably higher, and some return to the hotels to provide in-house training for hotel staff. For others, this is a means to save money and invest in land or other entrepreneurial activities. Moreover, as cruise ship recruitment is seen as a legal means to earn money abroad, it has anecdotally decreased illegal migration, which can be hazardous and exploitive. Hotels might increasingly need to implement staff retention strategies, including higher pay and greater career advancement opportunities. Measures could be explored to ensure that cruise ship companies contribute to the enhancement of the country's human capital. Given that cruise lines often recruit individuals with experience, hotels may need to provide training to younger workforce members, particularly female graduates from the hospitality institutes. Further research will be needed to understand the impact of the cruise ship recruitment of the Gambian hospitality staff on the sector and more specifically, women’s economic opportunities. Though there is growing acceptance, there is still Women lack information about lucrative tourism jobs stigma associated with tourism work. There are family and prior exposure. According to the Women, pressures not to participate in hotel work which still Business, and the Law expert opinion survey in 2024, carries a stigma. Women are expected to “do what she 55.6 percent of respondents indicated that only some is expected to do” and therefore should be leaving women have equal access to high paying jobs as men work early. This reinforces gender stereotypes and in The Gambia. Women’s lack of information about limits women’s opportunities in the tourism industry. lucrative tourism jobs and their lack of prior exposure This stigma is particularly pronounced in the context of or training seem to contribute to low female hotel employment, where societal and family participation in some roles. For example, interviews pressures discourage women from pursuing such with tourism organizations revealed challenges with careers. recruiting female tour guides, which cite norms and women’s lack of information about the trade as the While stigma is key, it is vital to recognize that safety two main challenges. Tour companies prefer concerns in the late hours is also likely to contribute candidates with prior tour experience and since it is a to low levels of women’s participation. male-dominated trade, women have difficulty Transportation takes up a significant portion of income breaking into it. Research shows that providing early of all hotel staff, but especially for women, safety in the exposure to and training in male-dominated sectors, late hours can be an additional constraint. Based on and information about trade earnings could support the interviews with hotel employees, travelling home women to cross over into more male-dominated roles can require 2-3 stops and street lighting is cited to be and sectors (World Bank, 2022e). insufficient. According to Gallup World Poll in 2021, 69 percent of women in the country declared not feeling The seasonality of work makes it difficult for women safe walking alone at night in the city or area where to participate if there is no income for half the year. they live while only 39 percent of men said so. This is As women are more likely to be on part-time contract much higher than the Africa average where 49 percent then men, they are less likely to stay on the payroll of of women in the country declared not feeling safe bigger hotels all year round. As a result, many women walking alone at night. To tackle this challenge, some switch to self-employment to stay economically bigger hotels arrange transportation options for staff, engaged year-round and to control their working hours but this is not the case for all establishments and is as well. expressed as an issue by hotel staff. 4.2 Gender disparity in Entrepreneurship social norms, and risk of GBV; endowments such as education/skills, confidence/risk preferences, finance The MSMEs play a key role in the economy as wage and assets, and networks and information; and, finally, opportunities are scarce in The Gambia. MSMEs in The household-level constraints such as care and allocation Gambia contribute about 20 percent of GDP and of factors of production (World Bank, 2019a). employ approximately 60 percent of the urban labor force. Nine in ten businesses are micro businesses, i.e., Increased revenue of tourism related MSMEs is a key either 1-person businesses or family businesses (World country priority as also indicated in the Country Bank, 2022c). Moreover, they constitute a crucial Partnership Framework. The MSMEs within the source of work for Gambian youth (18–35 years), who sectors of accommodation, food and beverage, and own more than 40 percent of MSMEs. Approximately, travel and tours have exhibited a higher level of one in six women and one in four men aged 15 to 64 is economic activity. Notably, over 40 percent of these the owner of her/his own business. MSMEs have reported annual earnings surpassing GMD 300,000 prior to the onset of the COVID-19 Women own smaller businesses compared to men, pandemic8. Nevertheless, the presence of exclusive employ less people, and have lower profits than male- agreements between international tour operators led businesses in The Gambia. According to The (ITOs), accommodation providers, and ground tour Gambia Poverty & Gender Assessment 2022, 83.4 operators has limited the potential for numerous percent of female-led businesses were solo MSMEs to partake in the existing tourism value chain9. entrepreneurs compared to 63 percent of male-led Furthermore, the impacts of COVID-19 have rendered businesses. Nearly 2 percent of female-run businesses many businesses in the tourism sector susceptible to were small, versus 12 percent of male-run businesses. concurrent shocks in both supply and demand. Less than 1 percent of female-run businesses are medium or large7. The same assessment shows that Among the tourism entrepreneurial activities, women median monthly profit was 3,000 GMD for a female-led are commonly involved as crafts sellers, beach fruit business compared to 5,000 GMD for a male-run sellers, tour operators and restaurant owners and business, demonstrating a significant profit gap. contribute indirectly to the tourism sector as vegetable and food suppliers, with their catering, Among firms which have five or more employees, beauty and skin care, and fashion businesses. female participation in ownership and top Economic activities in the tourism industry are often management is very low compared to the Sub- intertwined with other sectors. Transport sector is Saharan Africa average. According to World Bank heavily male dominated. There is large share of women Enterprise Survey in 2018, 17.9 percent of firms in the participation in the crafts market, however mainly for services sector had female participation in ownership beaded jewelry, cloth and baskets production. In compared to 27.5 percent of firms in SSA. Only 13.1 beauty, there is an increasing number of women percent of firms had majority female ownership entrepreneurs who use local plants/trees of the compared to 14.1 percent of firms in SSA. country to make oils, such as baobab oil for skin care and other uses. As the literature shows, gender gap in business performance is attributed to the gender-related Select Women Entrepreneur Profiles in The Gambia limitations that women encounter when initiating, Tourism maintaining, and expanding their businesses. In Sub- Saharan Africa, women are more likely to be • Craftswomen. Craftswomen are mostly re- entrepreneurs than men, and yet their businesses earn sellers with limited variation in their products only two-thirds the profits of their male-owned and design. Over the last thirty years, most counterparts (World Bank, 2019a). The significant craftswomen have been selling the same gender gap in earnings is not a result of inherent crafts next to each other with little variations in the skills of male and female differentiation or innovation. entrepreneurs. Instead, there are multiple underlying contextual constraints such as legal discrimination, 7 The Gambia Poverty & Gender Assessment 2022 notes that these are estimations based on LFS 2018 and looks at ages 15 to 64. 8 From the report prepared by Ernst and Young for the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project 9 As shared in the Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project Appraisal Document • Vegetables and food processing. Increased diversification and quality. Some craftswomen also linkages between the agriculture and tourism lack the financial and literacy skills to be able to sector offer a number of opportunities for understand business contracts or to use mobile women. However, female food and vegetable money. In addition, other basic skills women need is producers face problems in meeting the hotel literacy support, including financial literacy to demand in terms of quantity. Women face understand business contracts. Digital skills are also challenges both on quality and quantity side. needed to understand how to use mobile money and On the quality side, there is food testing, social media for new ideas, techniques, and marketing. packaging and certification, there are no labs for food safety testing, and women said that Access to Networks and Exposure. Even though there they usually have to send their food products are enabling organizations in the entrepreneurship to Senegal for testing. Focus group of women ecosystem (Box V), the limited presence of entrepreneurs also mentioned that they entrepreneur networks and exposure hinders the struggle with managers to shelve their potential for Gambian women entrepreneurs to in the products at supermarkets and did not feel like tourism sector. Firstly, without robust (and funded) they were taken seriously. networks, women may lack access to critical resources such as mentorship, training programs, and financial • Fruit sellers. Fruit sellers on the beach are support, hindering their ability to start or grow their often women, working out of municipal built businesses. Limited exposure means their offerings kiosks. Fruit sellers are required to renew their may remain unnoticed by potential customers, certificate and license every year, which resulting in low sales and profitability. Moreover, comes to 1,000 dalasi. The work is highly without connections to industry stakeholders and seasonal and fruit sellers must rely on other policymakers, women entrepreneurs may struggle to income sources during the low season. navigate regulatory hurdles or advocate for their interests within the tourism sector. This lack of • Beauty products. Like food processing, there visibility also perpetuates gender disparities, as are issues with certification and testing of women's contributions to the tourism industry may go beauty products. There are many women unrecognized, further marginalizing them from entrepreneurs which use the local economic opportunities. In addition, despite its huge plants/trees of the country to make oils (e.g., diaspore, there is lack of sufficient connections to the baobab oil) but they need support on the Gambian diaspora which could provide new ideas and certification and testing aspects along with market opportunities. Increased exposure on national some key overarching issues mentioned and international platforms would allow women below. entrepreneurs to attract a broader audience of tourists (across the different segments), diversify their customer base, and generate sustainable income. Key Entrepreneurship Issues Networking can also facilitate collaboration among women-owned businesses, enabling them to create Skills. The focus group participants raised the fact that unique tourism experiences and packages that most women do not actually have the basic skills to showcase the richness of Gambian culture and make crafts such as sewing, dyeing, weaving—skills heritage. that would allow them to enhance product BOX V. Enabling Organizations in the Entrepreneurship in The Gambia • Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce • International Trade Center: SheTrades Hub and other programs • Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce • Startup Incubator Gambia • Angel Investment Network • UNDP Accelerator Lab Access to Markets. While it is important to enhance alone or jointly, compared with just 16.8 percent for the skills of women entrepreneurs, several key women. Women have lower literacy rates and face informant interviews raised a fundamental question: informational barriers to submit loan applications. In "What should women diversify their products into?" addition to bank loans, there is some grant availability, The challenge lies in the limited variety of markets and but women lack information and support to apply. tourism segments available to showcase local They mostly rely on microfinance and informal products, as well as the weak connections to hotels, channels such as “osusu”, a money pooling system supermarkets, and online platforms. From a tourist's among a group of individuals, which is particularly perspective, it is exceedingly challenging to discover popular among small female business owners to access these businesses. Hotels seldom feature local money without interest. products, lack on-site stores, and do not incorporate local items in guest rooms, such as soaps, bedding, or 4.3 Leadership and Decision-Making décor accessories. Food sellers and businesses on beauty products have a difficult time selling to The underrepresentation of women in decision- supermarkets. One participant expressed her making and leadership roles in The Gambia has frustration, having made numerous attempts without profound implications for the tourism sector, receiving any feedback, leaving her uncertain about particularly in terms of perpetuating sexual stigma what improvements to make. By not featuring locally- and hindering women's economic participation. produced products, hotels and shops hinder the Women’s participation in decision-making and opportunity for developing a “Gambian brand” tourism leadership remains low in The Gambia. While the identity, similar to São Tomé and Príncipe’s chocolate United Nations at the 1995 Beijing Conference on products, or Ghana’s shea butter products. Moreover, Women set a gender quota of 30 percent for women vendor space is an issue as stalls in the crafts centers representation in decision-making processes, the are already allocated and rarely change “ownership”, actual representation of women in leadership roles as a result entry of new participants is rare in the crafts falls far below this standard. Women constitute only center, which impedes the introduction of new craft 8.6 percent of the parliament while 91 percent of the ideas and innovative competition to build a more parliamentarians is men, ranking The Gambia 168 out robust and diverse crafts sector. of 186 countries worldwide. This falls behind the Sub- Saharan Africa average as well as the world average10. Access to Finance. Financing is an issue for all micro, At the executive level, only three of the 22 Ministers in small and medium enterprises. According to the World the current Cabinet are women, at the local level eight Bank’s Enterprise Survey in The Gambia, 72 percent of out of 120 councilors are female, and among small and 40 percent of medium-size firms cite access traditional council leadership only 13 of the 1,887 to finance as a major constraint to their growth. High Alkali11 are female. Women represent 57 percent of collateral requirements, high interest rates and the registered voters but are not often on the ballot difficult documentation requirements are some of the and are likely to participate as party organizers and underlying barriers noted by the entrepreneurs. mobilizers, rather than as candidates. Often, when a However, women are often more disadvantaged due woman and a man want to run for the same political to underlying gender gaps such as in collateral, which party, the woman is asked to step aside to make room is needed to secure loans at the banks. For example, for the man (UN, 2022). The scarcity of women in in 2020, 40.6 percent of men owned a dwelling either 10 The data provided is from the Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments database 11 Alkali, or alkalo for singular, is the term of a Gambian village chief. political leadership positions presents challenges in Gender norms, discrimination and stereotypes also prioritizing and implementing legislative reforms and combined with forms of GBV, such as sexual supportive interventions to enhance the safety of harassment, are some of the factors which contribute women working in the tourism sector, but also to alter to keeping women from leadership positions. In The The Gambia’s sex tourism reputation and create a Gambia, about three-quarters (74 percent) of citizens more inviting environment for women to participate in say women should have the same chance as men to the industry. run for political office. Especially economically better- off citizens (86 percent) and those with post-secondary As of this writing, none of the leading tourism education (84 percent) are more likely to agree with organizations in the ecosystem were headed by this view. However, 60 percent of Gambians think that women, though women have presence at other if a woman runs for a public office, she will be likely levels. Even though tourism globally provides better criticized or harassed by others in the community, and opportunities for women’s leadership than other 40 percent think she will probably face problems with sectors of the economy, none of the key public tourism her family (Afrobarometer, 2023). Cultural phenomena players such as Gambia Tourism Board, GTHI, and have created the stereotype ‘impression that men are NCAC are currently headed by women. On the private superior, and women are inferior’ and a ‘socialization sector side, female representation has been better. process [that] has also led men and women to perceive There is some female presence among General men as leaders and women as supporters.’ These Managers (GM) of hotels; 3-4 out of approximately 40 perceptions are alleged to “put women in the private hotels are led by women. Aside from GMs, women are sphere as wives, mothers and daughters and men in often managers in back-office positions such as the public domain of decision-making”, as well as the accounting and sales. Additionally, the Gambia Hotel economic and political arena. Association and the Gambia Travel and Tourism Association have had women leadership at various Key informant interviews in The Gambia suggest that times in their history. Just as in political representation, the presence of more women in upper hotel the shortage of women in leadership roles within management helps other women staff feel more tourism associations and hotels complicates the confident in approaching them with more sensitive prioritization and implementation of systemic changes issues, e.g., harassment. The presence of women in to enhance the sector safer and appeal to women. these influential roles not only serves as a source of Nevertheless, change is feasible and ongoing. One inspiration for other female employees but also female General Manager interviewed, emphasized creates a more inclusive and approachable that the mere presence of a female manager atmosphere within the workplace. More effectively, all significantly improved the comfort level of female staff tourism businesses should have explicit policies and in approaching her about their concerns. training against SEA/SH, with clear measures for sanctions, a safe and confidential grievance mechanism, access to GBV services, and a safe whistleblower policy. Section 5 items for the elimination of all forms of sexual and Cross-Cutting Issues GBV. Stronger legislation and rigorous implementation of The Tourism Ecosystem Assessment examined how safety protocols are imperative to cultivate a secure The Gambia is impacted and influenced by the and empowering working environment for women in country's policy and institutional framework, the tourism industry, fostering their participation and educational endeavors, and social norms, including advancement free from harassment and the challenging issue of GBV. Within this framework, discrimination. The WBL report highlights that The various stakeholders including governmental bodies, Gambia needs improvement enacting legislation educational institutions, and civil society organizations protecting women from sexual harassment and play pivotal roles in shaping the trajectory of the adopting criminal or civil penalties for sexual tourism sector and addressing pertinent gender- harassment in employment. According to WBL, which related issues. Current legislation is wanting in terms examines the legal and regulatory environment faced of better protecting women in the sector. In parallel, by women in various countries in relation to their initiatives in tourism education seek to equip women economic participation, The Gambia scores 69.4 out of with the necessary skills for meaningful participation 100, which is lower than the regional average observed and leadership roles within the industry. However, across Sub-Saharan Africa (74). Gambia’s lowest scores entrenched social norms continue to pose barriers, are within laws concerning workplace, where it scores reinforcing traditional gender roles and perpetuating 50 out 100, which is also lower than SSA average (81.8). inequalities. Moreover, the pervasive issue of GBV The analysis shows that there is currently no legislation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive on sexual harassment in employment or no criminal interventions and support structures within the penalties or civil remedies for sexual harassment in tourism sector. This overview delves into the employment. And more broadly, there is no legislation interconnected dynamics of policy, education, social on domestic violence, femicide or comprehensive norms, and GBV, shedding light on the challenges and legislation on sexual harassment. In addition to opportunities for promoting gender equity and legislative frameworks, in the WBL 2024 report added inclusivity in The Gambia's tourism landscape. new indicators on supportive frameworks, here Gambia scored a paltry 16.7 out of 100, lower than the 5.1 Policy and Institutional Context SSA average of 24.5, doing particularly poorly on supportive interventions to ensure women's safety. In The Gambia, institutions involved in the The report recommended that The Gambia consider formulation and implementation of tourism policy developing comprehensive mechanisms to address play a vital role in promoting the country's tourism violence against women, putting in place special sector and ensuring sustainable development. Four procedures for cases of sexual harassment, designating key institutions include Ministry of Tourism and a government entity responsible for the monitoring Culture, Gambia Tourism Board, National Council for and implementation of national services, plans and Arts and Culture, Gambia Hotel Association along with programs addressing violence against women, various private sector entities. On the gender side, key providing an annual budgetary allocation towards institutions, such as the Ministry of Gender, Children violence against women risk mitigation and prevention and Social Welfare, play a pivotal role in formulating and response programs (World Bank, 2024)12. and implementing gender-responsive policies and key policy documents such as the Gender and Empowerment Strategy guide the priorities on gender issues. The gender strategy is currently being revised for the 2023-2033 period and has a strong list of action 12 While the legal frameworks cover laws and regulations, supportive frameworks cover public policy instruments and access to justice. In The Gambia, according to the WBL 2024 supportive framework data, the government has not developed comprehensive mechanisms to address violence against women, there are no special procedures for cases of sexual harassment, there is no government entity responsible for the monitoring and implementation of national services to address violence against women, and there is no annual budget allocation towards these programs. Source: Women, Business and the Law 2024 The Gambia Snapshot. Figure 2: The Gambia – Scores for Women, Business and the Law 2024 Source: Women, Business and the Law 2024, Country Snapshots: The Gambia Many women in The Gambia have limited access to The 2018 Enterprise Survey identified access to affordable, quality childcare, which likely contributes finance as the main business environment obstacle to the challenges in all three areas analyzed in this facing firms in The Gambia. Limited financial history report: wage employment, entrepreneurship, and and collateral, coupled with an informal operational leadership. A recent rapid assessment of the Gambian structure, pose significant barriers to securing loans childcare landscape by the World Bank, based on desk from traditional financial institutions. The absence of reviews and interviews with stakeholders including robust credit information systems further compounds ministries, young mothers, trainees, directors of this issue, making it difficult for lenders to accurately technical institutes, and civil society organizations, assess the creditworthiness of MSMEs. Additionally, suggests that more and better-quality investments in high interest rates, stringent lending requirements, childcare could improve outcomes for women, and a lack of tailored financial products for the diverse children, families, and businesses (Ahmed, et al., needs of these enterprises hinder their ability to obtain 2023). According to WBL, one of the lowest scores for necessary funding. As a result, many Gambians still rely The Gambia is on the indicator measuring laws on informal channels such as family members and affecting childcare. As it stands, the law does not savings groups to access finance. Efforts to increase establish provision of childcare services in center- firm productivity and growth will also need to focus on based settings, any form of support to families for improving access to finance, the biggest perceived childcare services, any form of support to non-state constraint to doing business in The Gambia. childcare providers and does not establish any quality standards for the provision of childcare services in Most actors in the tourism ecosystem collect very center-based settings (World Bank, 2024). limited sex-disaggregated data, which poses a significant impediment to recognizing the challenges In the enabling business environment, there is high encountered by women and developing sectoral prevalence of informality, high tax rates and complex targeted interventions. As UNTWO points out, there business regulations (World Bank, 2019b). Most firms appears to be a strong correlation between gender- in The Gambia are informal (70 percent of MSMEs), sensitive policies on the one hand, and women’s ability with women-owned businesses more likely to be to thrive in tourism employment and leadership, on smaller and informal. The key regulatory bodies, the other. However, the first step is to understand the statutory requirements and associated conditions key challenges women face to formulate interventions. governing the operations of tourism MSMEs are the There are opportunities for key organizations such as Gambia Tourism Board, Gambia Chamber of Gambia Tourism Board, GTHI to collect targeted data Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and to some extent the to document the gender disparities, identify Gambia Investment & Export Promotion Agency opportunity areas and track progress. (GIEPA). For women-led businesses, Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce support firms to formalize and 5.2 Tourism Education grow. In line with global trends, women are enrolled more than men in the tourism and hospitality school with the gender gap declining in the more advanced presenting an opportunity for enhanced data programs. The GTHI is the main actor in the country to collection and an imperative for monitoring students’ train youth for the tourism sector and the majority of post-work placement and program effectiveness. the student body is female. GTHI offers foundation, Furthermore, discussions with hotel managers certificate, and diploma programs in three areas - room underscore the importance of sensitizing students division, food and beverage, and professional cooking. about tourism at an earlier stage, possibly during According to GTHI data, professional cooking is the secondary education, and crafting curricula that can most popular program, and women often establish foster the development of youth, thereby augmenting catering businesses after. Participation in the diploma their future human capital and economic prospects. program, which also provides managerial training, is Lastly, the gender imbalance in hotel hiring practices, comparatively small but the gender gap in which predominantly favor men, leads to participation is also much smaller compared to other dissatisfaction among women, especially given that lower degree programs. hospitality training is often self-funded and, without subsequent job placements, may be perceived as an Hotels choose most of their workforce from GTHI, but expenditure with little return on investment. it primarily serves the “workforce” level on hospitality, but the tourism aspect is underexplored. 5.3 Social Norms The Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia ‘ITTOG’ is another institute in the tourism ecosystem, Social norms in The Gambia significantly impact offering courses on travel and tourism. However, there women's economic participation in the tourism are untapped prospects to expand school offerings to sector, especially considering the country's encompass subjects like eco-tourism and events reputation for sex tourism. The pervasive stigma management, addressing the growing facets of the associated with sex tourism perpetuates harmful tourism industry. stereotypes about the illicit nature of those working in it and discourages families from encouraging or As the United Nations World Tourism Organization supporting their daughters or wives from joining it, (UNWTO) points out, while women are the majority even for innocuous hotel administrative jobs, such as of students in formal tourism education, they largely accountancy. As a result, the gender employment gap lack the high-level and soft skills training needed to in tourism is quite significant at 28 percent (Table 3), ensure their career progression, pointing to an and much higher than the labor force participation gap opportunity for new tourism curriculum development of 8 percent (World Bank Gender Data Portal, 2022). in The Gambia. There is a large body of literature which shows the impact of training programs which goes Although the stigma is still a barrier, attitudes have beyond business training and encompasses soft skills, seen growing acceptance for women in the tourism network building and other key skills, alongside the and hospitality sector. Social acceptability of jobs high-level training. Currently, there is a lack of new within the tourism and hospitality sector remains a curriculum development and investment in managerial barrier in women’s participation in the sector. programs, which encompass soft skills training which However, the remarkably high levels of female student could benefit female students. As UNWTO report enrollment in tourism institutes signal an amelioration points out, management strategies in the hospitality in attitudes and viewpoints. Additionally, the industry have been found to lack a focus on women as interviews suggest that women are increasingly staying human capital, as reflected in women’s limited on to work after getting married and having children in representation among management and senior the sector, whereas that was less the case before. positions in the tourism sector – potentially underscored by few women participating in high-level The sector is also starting to change to be more training (World Tourism Organization, 2019). women-friendly, though there is still need for systemic change. Some hotels interviewed provide Key informant interviews reveal gaps in a few key night transport for their employees, which then allows areas such as sex-disaggregated data collection, them to hire women for evening positions in hotel sensitization of youth earlier in the education system restaurants/bars, which are normally occupied by and high-costs of tourism education. Notably, The men. Hotel associations and industry leaders should GTHI currently ceases alumni tracking after six months, also be pushing their members to make the industry more women-friendly. While some establishments women between ages 15 to 49 in The Gambia have have policies, such as code of conduct, to protect staff ever experienced sexual violence, while almost 40 against harassment, these larger hotels are in the percent of ever-married women have been subjected minority. Having a code of conduct requires regular to either physical, sexual or emotional violence by their training, enforcement, and implementing grievance current or most recent partners. The survey further mechanisms, which are not costs that currently have a found that about 51 percent of women and 35 percent high priority. To encourage uptake, some of these of men in The Gambia agree that wife battering is costs, such as training, could be shared with the public acceptable if a wife burns the food; argues with her sector and/or other tourism establishments, or husband; goes out without telling her husband; through the implementation of a more systemic neglects the children; or refuses to have sexual grievance reporting and redress. relations with her husband. Engaging communities, and particularly men and local Within the tourism industry, sex trafficking and sexual leaders, could be key to overcome the stigma and exploitation are still prevalent and affects both address restrictive social norms. Effectively women and girls as well as men and boys. Women in addressing these entrenched social norms necessitates hotels can also face harassment from both colleagues a multifaceted approach that involves engaging as well as guests. The Ministry of Gender, Children and various stakeholders, including men, communities, Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health and Civil Society religious leaders, and women elders. By fostering Organizations have been working to improve the dialogue and promoting awareness, these efforts can existing GBV response structures and ensure that challenge existing biases and promote gender equality information about GBV and care services to support within the tourism sector. Addressing restrictive social survivors are available and accessible. The agency has norms and stigma requires a comprehensive effort that been investing in strengthening the existing involves changing attitudes, behaviors, and mechanism, including supporting the establishment of perceptions within communities. In the context of a National GBV Helpline 1313, construction and tourism, where gender roles and expectations can renovation of One-Stop Centres in major health influence various aspects of the industry, involving facilities across the country, among others. However, men, women, and boys in behavior change initiatives there is still need for dedicated attention to the can have a transformative impact. There are several offences in the tourism industry. For example, there is World Bank projects which focus on behaviour change no dedicated hotline for these kind of offences within and addressing social norms, involving women, men, the tourism sector. and boys, which could also be critical for any tourism intervention. By leveraging these experiences, Norms both impact the prevention of GBV and the interventions designed to promote gender equity and uptake of GBV services. There is limited availability inclusivity within the Gambia's tourism sector, could and reliability of GBV response services, combined ultimately foster a more vibrant and sustainable with significant social and cultural barriers to reporting industry. GBV, is reflected in low service seeking behavior by survivors. In The Gambia, almost two-thirds (63 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) percent) of respondents consider it likely that a woman who reports being a victim of rape, domestic violence, GBV in the travel and tourism sector is embedded or other GBV will be criticized, harassed, or shamed by within the broader societal frameworks. Gambians others in the community, including 44 percent who say rank GBV as the second-most important women’s- this is “very likely”. There is also a strong social rights issue that the government and society must consideration called “maslaha” to not report address. Additionally, as per the expert opinion survey harassers, so as not to get them fired and hurt their conducted by WBL 2024, 44 percent of respondents family. indicated that no women are exempt from experiencing GBV. This is similar to the world average but lower than some higher income countries in the region, such as Kenya, where the Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) rate is 38 percent. According to the 2019-20 Demographic and Health Survey, 9 percent of Section 6 Recommendations for Advancing Gender Equality in the Tourism A holistic set of policy recommendations spanning employment, entrepreneurship, leadership, and public policy have been outlined Improving Women’s Employment and Earning in Tourism Improving women’s employment and earnings in tourism requires addressing both demand side constraints and biases, as well supporting women’s willingness, and capacity to enter tourism. Encouraging female employment will require addressing some of the financial concerns, safety infrastructure and cultural norms. There is currently no legislation on sexual harassment in employment or no criminal penalties or civil remedies for sexual harassment in employment. The Gambia may wish to consider enacting legislation protecting women from sexual harassment in employment. In Enacting and implementing anti- addition, creating an inclusive and safe work environment through harassment laws and putting in place systemic measures for reporting and dealing with abusive behavior systemic measures to tackle sexual is key for women to feel protected in the sector. All tourism harassment businesses should have explicit policies and training against SEA/SH, with clear measures for sanctions, a safe and confidential grievance mechanism, access to GBV services, and a safe whistleblower policy. There should also be training and sensitization programs for employers and employees, but also with the police and judiciary. Similar to the “green sustainability” certification, formally recognizing hotels that excel in gender inclusion—such as having high levels of female staff and managers, offering paid maternity leave, and implementing other gender-supportive policies including SEA/SH training and procurement from women-owned businesses— Creating a mark or recognition for could encourage and incentivize more hotels to adopt and maintain “inclusion champions” these practices. Such recognition would resonate well for eco- tourists who are more sensitive to socially sustainable lodgings. Associations could lead these awards and showcase early adopters, which could then encourage and lead to an upward trend for more systemic changes. In addition to low participation in certain sub-segments of the tourism sector, women also tend to occupy less-profitable roles. Increasing their training, particularly in management skills but also in Investing in management skills as well culinary arts, and other higher earning tourism professions could as higher earning tourism professions contribute to improving their earnings. The general shortage of for women management skills in the tourism sector, plus the current drain caused by the cruise industry, has opened an opportunity to onboard women employees who are more likely to stay on than their male counterparts. Currently, there is no law that mandates equal renumeration for work of equal value. Similarly, there are no pay transparency measures or enforcement mechanisms to address the gender pay Increasing pay transparency measures gap either in tourism or more broadly in the Gambian economy. and ensuring legal protection of equal Implementing pay transparency measures and establishing legal renumeration for work of equal value protections, along with enforcement mechanisms to tackle the gender pay gap, could enhance women's economic outcomes in the sector. Tourism modules delivered at high schools and vocational training programs could highlight the diverse employment opportunities Developing and delivering modules on within the tourism sector and provide information on trade earnings tourism at schools to bridge the information gap. This approach could help overcome the stigma associated with the sector and encourage more women to pursue careers in this field. Enhancing Women’s Entrepreneurship Outcomes in Tourism Limited markets and lack of skills are key hindrances to women’s owned businesses in The Gambia. Improving access to markets and helping women to serve both domestic and tourist markets – especially given the high- low swings of the tourism season – can make businesses more sustainable. Likewise, skill development and support to expanding offerings, particularly locally produced products but also in higher skilled jobs, such as event planners, marketing, logistics in the conference tourism segment, could open more opportunities for women entrepreneurs. There are several opportunities in hotel sourcing from more staple products, such as eggs and poultry (which often face shortages) and tropical fruits, to other niche agricultural products, such as unique high-end vegetables, provided hotels and chefs are also onboarded Increasing the linkages between women to diversify their menu offerings. Even though there are existing business owners, grocery stores, and efforts, grocery stores and hotels could be incentivized to sell locally hotels. made items, such as honey, jams, snacks, scrubs, etc. While demand is incentivized, female entrepreneurs could highly benefit from training and packaging support to improve the quality and presentation of their products. Technical assistance to women-led or owned businesses could also be paired with financing assistance. Respective associations and business support organizations could target craftswomen on how to expand or customize their offerings Investing in skills development for to bring in higher revenues. This could include conducting training women entrepreneurs workshops for skills development in new artisan offerings, and also incorporating modules on soft skills to spur innovation and enhance earnings. Implementing grant schemes tailored for women, enhancing financial literacy initiatives, and collaborating with banks to expand Tackling the access to finance gap their support for female entrepreneurs are crucial steps to start addressing the gender gaps in accessing finance. Establishing an elevated artisan craft space for locally produced products and unique handicrafts can help resolve the low turnover constraints of existing craft stalls but also provide an opportunity Establishing an elevated artisan craft for innovative entrepreneurs and artisans to sell their products. space Such an artisan space can certify the production of genuine Gambian-made crafts, and thereby also build a “Gambian craft” identity13. Given the pervasive use of cell phones, creating a platform to connect women entrepreneurs to training and marketing events, as Leveraging digital platforms to connect well as potential access to finance, can significantly enhance their women entrepreneurs to training and business prospects. As e-commerce is just starting to take off, finance helping women to access and market on these platforms can broaden their sales and client outreach. Leadership, Public Policy, and Support to Advance Gender Parity in Tourism Advancing gender parity in tourism will require leadership in bringing together different stakeholders and getting their buy-in for the changes. While women’s role in Gambia’s tourism is gradually improving—with more women starting to enter upper management in hotels, as well as in key tourism and business associations—translating that to better results on the ground will also take additional actions. To make informed policy decisions, more gender disaggregated data is needed in the tourism sector, particularly data on Collecting more gender disaggregated data earnings. While there is information on employment in tourism, data on businesses or self-employment in tourism is less available. Increasing the placement of women managers in government agencies related to tourism and encouraging women to take on leadership roles in existing tourism associations, particularly those that have never had female leaders, could boost women’s Increasing female leadership in tourism representation in tourism. Additionally, mentorship programs agencies and associations and leadership training specifically tailored for women in tourism can further support their advancement. Establishing networks and support systems for women in these positions can also help sustain their growth and influence in the sector. There are measures needed such as a dedicated hotline for reporting incidents within the sector, supported by effective follow-up procedures. It is imperative for women to feel empowered to report issues, which necessitates the Enhancing safety and addressing establishment of safe spaces within the industry staffed with misconduct within the tourism industry individuals equipped to handle complaints and mandated to do so. These actions will bolster existing response systems for GBV, ensuring the availability of information and support services for survivors. 13 The non-profit Artsanias de Chile focuses on supporting artisans in Chile by promoting their traditional crafts, facilitating access to markets, providing training and technical assistance, and advocating for the preservation of cultural heritage. Changing the social norms and attitudes toward women working in tourism will also require a concerted effort to reduce the country’s sex tourism reputation, particularly measures to Investing in promoting a new image of The crackdown on such activities, thereby making other forms of Gambia to reduce the country’s sex tourism more appealing. This includes promoting family- friendly tourism reputation and eco-tourism which have the potential to generate greater tourism dollars and jobs for women. Additionally, expanding and advertising community-based tourism can open pathways for women, particularly in more rural areas of the country. Section 7 Recommendations for the World Bank Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The Gambia Project In addition to the holistic set of policy Bank Tourism Diversification and Resilience in The recommendations shared above, the below section Gambia Project. goes into specific project level activities for the World Skills Development for Women Entrepeneurs Improve post-monitoring of graduates to see how suitable the curriculum is for their needs and what might be potential gaps, Review and modernize the curriculum particularly for those who end up in self-employment activities. for the training institutes Curriculum should also be updated to develop basic digital skills, which could be used at higher paying reception activities or for social media skills for entrepreneurs. A growing body of evidence indicates positive effects of psychology- based training programs on both men and women-led businesses. This type of training focuses on changing the way entrepreneurs think about their business instead of recommending a set of business practices. The training aims at building soft skills that have been linked to successful entrepreneurship (e.g., proactiveness, future orientation, self-efficacy, perseverance after failure, initiative). The evaluation of the training in Togo shows that it led to 40 percent revenue increases for women entrepreneurs compared Incorporate a Personal Initiative (PI) five percent for traditional business training. Personal initiative Training module training was also highly cost-effective, paying for itself within one year. For implementation success, trainer quality is key. Given limited innovation in The Gambian tourism space, the project could incorporate a training module as part of its capacity building program for MSMEs. PI could also be a part of the curriculum of the training institutes, and GTHI had also expressed interest in incorporating. PI training and its adaptive leadership approach could help spur innovation and creative ideas among students and entrepreneurs14. 14 For example, in the original pilot, one participant was a female entrepreneur in Togo who, prior to the training, rented wedding dresses. After receiving the personal initiative training, she expanded her clientele by selling dresses and offering additional accessories such as veils and gloves. She now owns boutiques in several African countries. Source. There is evidence that training programs focusing on the differential constraints faced by women entrepreneurs can improve the performance of women-led businesses. A significant body of qualitative evidence shows that a training program can achieve positive results if both its content and implementation consider the differential needs of women entrepreneurs (Beegle et al. 2020, IFC Enhance training delivery to ensure 2020, Argidius Foundation 2021). This could mean including women could benefit from the capacity- implementation features, such as childcare services or the building support opportunity to bring a caretaker, convenient times and locations, safe transportation, and policies against SEA/SH in the workplace with clear and robust supervision and enforcement mechanisms. In The Gambia context based on the barriers identified, complementary safe transportation for the participants and SEA/SH policies could be relevant and incorporated as part of the training delivery. Improving Access to Markets and Networks There is potential to leverage technology to bridge the gap between women farmers and the tourism industry. This initiative will focus on harnessing digital platforms and tools to create seamless Unlock digital opportunities to increase pathways for women farmers to access markets within the tourism linkages between women farmers and sector (See Box VI). Likewise, just as Kenya’s mobile money Mpesa food businesses and the tourism sector greatly expanded economic opportunities for both urban and rural Kenyans, training on The Gambia new mobile money platforms can also increase adoption and marketplace innovation. Bringing together women-owned/led businesses in food and beauty sectors with supermarkets and hotels as part of the technical and compliance support to tourism MSMEs. Similar to how WeConnect Facilitate market connections with matches WOE suppliers with corporate buyers that have been supermarkets and hotels in a more socialized on the benefits of procuring from women, Gambia structured way to adopt more WOE Women’s Chamber of Commerce could also be trained to act as a products market facilitator and to prep women entrepreneurs on how to serve corporate markets. They can also be verifiers for women- owned enterprises and Gambian-made products, the latter could be useful in helping to create the Gambian craft brand. Given that the project is planning to integrate coaching for women within its MSME training program, to spur innovation and exchange Connect women to a network of of new ideas, a barrier faced by women, the project could Gambian diaspora entrepreneurs and incorporate a module to connect the participants to The Gambian mentors for the exchange of ideas diaspora entrepreneurs. Having external contacts can also help improve the flow of innovation and creative ideas, as well provide potential connections to international sources and buyers. BOX VI. Partnering with online platforms to increase linkages between women farmers and the tourism sector One opportunity for the project is to partner with platforms like ITC-run platform Jokkalante to increase the number of women connected to the vendors. An initiative by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration & Employment (MOTIE) aimed at improving the livelihoods of women horticultural producers, Jokkalente follows a market-led approach that connects women farmers to markets, provides training on best agricultural practices, and promotes local production. Jokkalente, first with a primary aim to cater to hotels as the main users of the platform soon recognized the importance of working directly with the vendors who supply the hotels as hotels often prefer to maintain their existing and trusted relationships with vendors. This is one opportunity for the We-Fi component of the project. The platform offered trainings sessions in 15 gardens and 207 farmers were trained on marketing of horticultural produce, market-led and off-season production. On production calendars, 50 gardens benefitted from production calendars and over 500 women were trained. Tourism Data The project already has a strong focus on improving the country’s overall statistical capacity and incorporates a gender lens. It is crucial to reiterate the importance of enhanced capacity for gender Strengthen institutional capacity for disaggregated data collection, as it is a key barrier to understanding the collecting gender disaggregated data real discrepancies and therefore limits crafting effective solutions. Improved data collection will provide more accurate insights into gender disparities, enabling the development of targeted interventions to promote gender equality in the tourism sector. Infrastructure The current craft center is in a restaurant row and needs a renovation. The craft center itself is basic with open stalls around a rundown courtyard. One of the key issues is that the stalls have been delegated and does not allow for many new entrants. As a result, the craft center has limited variety and often sells mass-produced souvenirs made outside of the country. Locally crafted handicrafts, including batiks and woven items, are less readily available and are usually stumbled upon rather than found in a centralized shopping area. The project should consider exploring the creation of a new (or upgraded) artisan center that will allow showcasing of more authentic local crafts, jewelry, Create a new integrated artisan site accessories, handiwork, paintings, ceramics as well as locally made for a more elevated and authentic food and beauty products—that will target higher end tourists looking Gambian cultural experience for more unique and authentic Gambian products. This will help resolve the current issue of delegated stalls that limit new creative artisans and craftspeople from entering the market. The artisan marketplace can be integrated with other facilities, such as restaurants, coffee and gelato shops, music/art performances. Having a multi-use tourism space allows for a higher concentration of female employees/business owners, which can than build the economies of scale for providing safe transportation options. Similar to how the new state of the art conference center elevates the business tourism offering, an integrated artisan marketplace offers an elevated tourism shopping and entertainment experience, which is currently lacking in Gambia. Additionally, such a venue could be an add-on stop to a cruise tour package, to cap off the tour on a high note with a showcase of modern facilities in Gambia. Work with cruise ships to offer off-shore packages that are more value driven and service oriented, for example cooking lessons, craft-making, Improve cultural sites that could be music and dance demonstrations—which do not require extensive visited by cruise passengers, improve capital and are more labor intensive, and also well-suited for women on the product offering as the time constraints are limited. Help facilitate women-owned local tour operators to participate in the program. Bibliography Bibliography Afrobarometer. 2023. "Gender equality in the Gambia: Citizens demand greater government efforts." Ahmed, Tanima, Anne Hilger, Jason Weaver, Bah Alieu, and Camara Alpha. 2023. Child’s Play, Women’s Progress: Reforming Childcare in The Gambia. Alarcón, Daniela Moreno, and Dalia Gomes. 2023. "Gender-Responsive Tourism in Cabo Verde: Ensuring better, safe, and more jobs for women." CruiseDig. 2020. Port of Banjul, Gambia. 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