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The Ministry of Social Welfare and Children’s Affairs has held a strategic meeting with Heads of Family Support Units (FSUs) from across Sierra Leone ahead of the International Day of Families, which is being observed under the theme Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing.
The meeting focused on growing social challenges affecting children and families, while stressing the importance of shared responsibility in addressing them. Participants also discussed the need to strengthen family-centred approaches to reduce inequality and improve child wellbeing nationwide.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, said many social problems including child neglect, abuse, the rise in street children, and early marriage often begin within weakened family structures.
She urged stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and confront challenges affecting children at home, where values and behaviour are shaped.
The Minister called for a proactive and united response, stressing that families must become active participants, not just beneficiaries, in raising responsible and protected children.
Also addressing the meeting, Head of the Family Support Unit, Superintendent Mohamed S.Y. Mansaray, described the initiative as timely and important in strengthening national commitment to family welfare.
He said the issue of street children remains complex but is closely linked to family circumstances.
Mansaray noted that the role of FSUs has expanded beyond domestic violence cases to a broader responsibility of family protection, in collaboration with schools, religious institutions, and community leaders.
At the close of the meeting, FSUs pledged closer cooperation with the Ministry and other stakeholders to improve outreach, strengthen enforcement, and develop practical strategies to protect children and empower families.
