Women on the Front Line

Women play a key role in the development of tourism and crafts in Southern Africa.

This role was highlighted by Viviane Dewa, Malagasy Minister of Tourism and Crafts, during a conference organized during SADC Industrialization Week (SIW), in a session titled: “Advancing Industrialization through Tourism Development.” According to the Minister, “women are at the center of the economic, cultural, and social life of the regions.

By working in tourism and crafts, their contribution is essential to the growth of the regions. Thanks to their traditional know-how and strong ties with communities, they are true pillars of local development.”

Viviane Dewa explained that this sector should not be considered a secondary sector. On the contrary, it can play a key role in the economic transformation of countries. Promoting local cultures, artisanal products, and landscapes creates sustainable jobs and strengthens regional identity.

The official also emphasized that this development model is more humane, closer to local realities, and more respectful of the environment. For the SADC region, this represents a real opportunity to build industrialization that is not limited to factories, but rather reaches villages, families, and traditions.