Nation

Kerala, UN Women sign agreement to promote women friendly activities in tourism

February 26, 2023
Bharat Times

Kottayam: The Kerala government on Sunday (February 26) entered into an agreement with the United Nations (UN) Women to promote women-friendly activities in the state’s tourism sector. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Kerala Tourism and UN Women India agreed to work towards promoting gender-inclusive tourism destinations in the state. A government release said the MoU was signed by Kerala Tourism Director PB Noh and UN Women India Representative Susan Ferguson and will be implemented by the Responsible Tourism Mission.

“As per the agreement reached at the first-ever Global Responsible Tourism Summit at Kumarakom near this town, both sides will promote women-friendly tourism in Kerala. This will be done by modules and capacity building of relevant stakeholders, besides providing consultancy. Basic research support for women-friendly tourism destinations and support interventions to change prevalent discriminatory social norms,” ​​the release said.

Kerala Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas, who inaugurated the four-day summit, said the MoU was in continuation of the state government’s new efforts for women-friendly tourism since October last year.

“We will ensure good women participation in tourism initiatives and allied services apart from RT (responsible tourism) projects. The idea is to promote tourism with a focus on women empowerment,” he said in the release.

Ferguson was quoted as saying that women should be encouraged to work in the tourism sector to instil a sense of security among travelers to the state. “More jobs for women in critical sectors will not only generate employment but also reduce the prevailing gender disparity,” she added. The conclave has 280 delegates and 70 speakers.