AdvocAid hosted a one-day Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and legal rights training for 25 commercial sex workers in Freetown on November 7, 2024, as part of its project funded by Amplify Change.

The training, held at the YMCA Hall, aimed to equip the women with crucial knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning, and their legal rights.

Facilitators, including SRHR expert Madam Tenneh Christiana Tamba and Lawyer Umu Sesay, emphasized the importance of understanding both health and legal protections to help sex workers make informed decisions and seek support when needed.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the training, with Aminata, a sex worker, noting that she now feels more confident about protecting her health and rights. AdvocAid’s Program Manager, Madam Jalahan Amara Jakema, highlighted that the participants would share the knowledge they gained with their peers, helping to raise awareness within their communities.

Zainab, a leader among the group, praised the initiative for providing much-needed support and empowering the women with life-changing information.

The training is part of AdvocAid’s ongoing efforts to support marginalized women in Sierra Leone by enhancing access to health and legal services, fostering greater awareness of their rights, and creating a more supportive environment for vulnerable women.