1 Comment 
ADVOCAID recently hosted a bold and emotional dialogue session in Kenema, convening Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) and members of the “Go before Women” federation with key stakeholders and service providers to address the challenges, stigma, and urgent demands for justice faced by marginalized women.
The event, held at the Opportunity Training Centre (OTC), highlighted the resilience of the attendees while focusing on the critical need for inclusive support systems.
Many attendees shared powerful personal stories of hardship and social rejection. One participant disclosed that the death of her father forced her into sex work as a means of survival.
“We are not raray girls, we are hustlers trying to survive,” one woman asserted, as others called for the decriminalization of petty offenses and the establishment of empowerment centers tailored to sex workers’ needs.
Fatmata Jalloh, ADVOCAID’s South-East Programme Officer, emphasized the importance of giving voice to women in conflict with the law. “Women in Africa are vulnerable, but those without education or income are doubly so,” she said, reaffirming ADVOCAID’s commitment to legal and social support.
She also acknowledged the contributions of legal advocate Joseph Bandabla Dauda (JBD Esq.) and court monitor Katumu Kamara in advancing the initiative.
The Programme Officer cautioned participants about the health risks involved, highlighting that men who pay high sums for sex are often carriers of sexually transmitted diseases and frequently refuse condom use.
The meeting concluded with a powerful demonstration of solidarity, as the slogan “You touch one, you touch all” echoed throughout the hall.
It’s important to remember that sex workers in Kenema are part of our community and deserve dignity, safety, and justice like anyone else. Their call for protection isn’t just about their work it’s about human rights and fair treatment. If authorities work with, not against, these communities, it could help reduce exploitation and improve public health for everyone.