By Foday Moriba Conteh
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force Secretariat, organized a significant community stakeholders’ awareness-raising session on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Western Area Rural District Council Hall in Waterloo. The session aimed to intensify efforts in combating human trafficking in the Western Area Rural District.
The event was welcomed by Deputy Chairman of the Western Area Rural District Council (WARD-C), Robert Brown, who highlighted his personal commitment to anti-trafficking advocacy. Recalling his earlier years of advocacy with World Hope International, he emphasized the importance of community involvement in eradicating modern-day slavery. He commended the IOM, Ministry of Social Welfare and the Anti-Trafficking Secretariat for prioritizing awareness as a critical step in the fight against trafficking.
Representing the Ministry of Social Welfare, Deputy Director, Hawanatu Koloneh Koroma underscored the Ministry’s mandate to support vulnerable groups, including those affected by trafficking. The Deputy Director also discussed the Ministry’s five-year strategic plan focused on improving social services, which aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to addressing human trafficking through a comprehensive approach that includes victim support and community outreach.
Albert George Sheriff, Director of Public Prevention and Public Education at the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force Secretariat (ATIPS), highlighted the session as part of ongoing efforts following the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. He explained that raising public awareness is a core objective in the recently launched National Action Plan Against Trafficking in Persons 2024-2028.
Albert George Sheriff pointed out that Waterloo is a trafficking hotspot and that similar community engagements will soon be replicated in other high-risk areas, including schools.
The session also featured contributions from various stakeholders, including the Sierra Leone Police, military, community leaders and civil society groups. They shared insights into their experiences with trafficking cases and reinforced the need for increased collaboration and proactive measures. Additionally, a video screening depicted the different forms of trafficking prevalent in the region, such as forced labor, sex trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
Mangeh Sesay, National Project Officer for the Africa Regional Migration Project, emphasized the importance of understanding the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act of 2022. He explained that the Act provides the legal framework for prosecuting traffickers and protecting victims. Sesay stressed that stakeholders in Waterloo, a community that has grown rapidly due to urbanization, must step up efforts to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
The session concluded with renewed commitments from all participants to intensify their efforts in combating trafficking, focusing on public awareness, community vigilance, and the enforcement of anti-trafficking laws. The awareness-raising event was part of the Africa Regional Migration Project, funded by the US Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration.
