By: Saidu Jalloh
In a bold call to action on the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Social Welfare, Honourable Melrose Karminty, launched a survivor-led initiative aimed at combating human trafficking through advocacy, empowerment, and policy reform.
Speaking at the New Brookfields Hotel in New England Ville on July 30, 2025, the Minister reflected on seven years of national progress in addressing human trafficking. Under the global theme “Human Trafficking is Organized Crime End the Exploitation,” she emphasized the need to elevate survivors as leaders, not just victims, in the fight against trafficking.
Hon. Karminty unveiled the Trafficking and Bursting Survivor Network Business, a pioneering initiative designed to empower survivors as change-makers in their communities. She called on government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners to join forces, particularly by supporting the Victims of Human Trafficking Trust Fund, which assists returnees with reintegration and supports prevention efforts in vulnerable communities.
She acknowledged the contributions of key development partners, including the United Nations in Sierra Leone, IOM Sierra Leone, and the U.S. Embassy in Freetown, expressing gratitude for their continued support. The Minister stressed that “intentional and survivor-centered responses” are essential to dismantling the systems that enable trafficking.
Also addressing the event, Attorney General Alpha Sesay highlighted the government’s ongoing legal reforms and active prosecutions related to trafficking. He emphasized that securing justice for survivors must be coupled with efforts to address the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and inequality.
A representative from the United Nations commended Sierra Leone’s legislative progress and reaffirmed that survivors must be seen not only as victims but as powerful advocates for change.
The event closed with a unified message from all speakers: the fight against human trafficking requires urgent, coordinated, and survivor-focused action. Freedom, dignity, and justice must be restored to those who have suffered and preserved for generations to come.