At the CSW 68th session held in New York, Melrose Karminty, the Minister of Social Welfare, represented Sierra Leone, addressing critical issues surrounding human trafficking. Her participation in a side event focused on "bridging gender disparities and combating trafficking and exploitation across different platforms through policy development and social protection interventions."

During her keynote address, Minister Karminty highlighted Sierra Leone's interventions in combating human trafficking and outlined strategies for future action. She emphasized the urgent need to address trafficking, citing its severe impact on global security, public safety, and human dignity.

The minister referenced global estimates from organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), revealing that millions of individuals are trapped in various forms of trafficking worldwide. Additionally, she mentioned the 2023 US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report, which identified Sierra Leone as a source, transit, and destination country for trafficked individuals.

Drawing attention to Sierra Leone-specific data, Minister Karminty cited reports indicating high prevalence rates of child trafficking and labor in the Eastern Province. She also highlighted gender disparities in trafficking, noting that while both men and women can be victims, they are often exploited differently.

Regarding Sierra Leone's efforts to combat trafficking, Minister Karminty outlined several key initiatives. These included the enactment of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act of 2022, which increased penalties for trafficking crimes and established a National Task Force on Human Trafficking. She also mentioned the implementation of the National Referral Mechanism and the hosting of the ECOWAS Conference on Trafficking in Persons.

On the social protection front, Minister Karminty highlighted collaboration with partners like the IOM and NaCSA to provide support services to victims, including repatriation, psychosocial support, and emergency cash transfers.

Looking ahead, Minister Karminty emphasized the importance of accelerating service delivery to vulnerable groups, aligning with the ministry's five-year strategic plan, which prioritizes combating trafficking in persons.

Overall, Minister Karminty's participation underscored Sierra Leone's commitment to addressing human trafficking and promoting the well-being and dignity of all individuals within the country.