Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, the Fashion Design and Textiles Association, and the Sierra Leone Association of Persons With Albinism(SLAPWA), the Ministry of Tourism hosted a runway event with Albinos and women leaders —themed celebrating inclusion through fashion.
The initiative represents a novelty. As the Director of SLAPWA declared, unable to contain his excitement, this is ‘the first time a government body is celebrating Albinos’
The event presented an opportunity to shine light on the innate talents, whether it was the musicians or DJs, the master of ceremony or the models themselves. With the models donning local designs from Sierra Leonean designers, the vitality of Sierra Leone’s fashion industry was put into sharper focus.
In her address, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs noted that the entire essence of the event is to humanize the oft-neglected Albino community. She further stated that this aligns seamlessly with the ministry’s wider theme of connecting communities. As she has always maintained, everyone has a productive space in the tourism industry.
The Minister of Gender reechoed similar sentiments. In her speech, she lauded the partnership between the ministries as a symbol of their commitment to fostering inclusivity.
Besides lending visibility to the Albino community, proceeds from donations will go toward supporting Sierra Leone’s representatives at the Mr. and Miss Albino Africa pageant in Zimbabwe.
Conclusively the event underscores an important fact: the Tourism industry, when properly enhanced, can be a transcendental force for unity, and a driver of collective prosperity.
