To mark IWD we are introducing you to the phenomenal women who rise up & #ChooseToChallengeKafala despite barriers they face as women through their activism & passion for rights.
Lucy Turay is a mother, a passionate activist & former Migrant Domestic Worker in Lebanon. Lucy has played a pivotal role in the repatriation of many Sierra Leone women through her bravery, leadership & her activism. Lucy is the founder & director of DoWAN (Domestic Workers Advocacy Network), an initiative raising awareness of the kafala system, empowering women and preventing other women from falling victim to Kafala. On any given day you will find Lucy in the communities of Sierra Leone, in local schools, on local radio stations, raising awareness & educating women on Kafala and human trafficking. The fights for workers’ rights & particularly women’s rights are fought on many fronts. For Lucy it is on the streets & community organising. We are entitled to know our rights & have them fulfilled, this is why we will continue to fight against Kafala & Human Trafficking.
Illustration by: @ahlan.my.darlings
Our dear friend Aline Dechamps, French-Thai artist & activist. We met Aline during our time in Lebanon where she documented our experiences of rights abuses, forced destitution, Covid-19 & life as a Migrant Domestic Worker in Lebanon through the photo series “I am not your animal”. Aline provided us with a lot of support including food, shelter & covering medical fees. Most importantly Aline made us feel human & was crucial in the repatriation of many Sierra Leone women. Without Aline’s action, persistence & solidarity we would not have made it home. Aline is a woman who chooses to challenge through her photography documenting not only Migrant Domestic Workers but those at the fringes of society that would never have their story told otherwise. To us, this is powerful!
Illustration by: @ahlan.my.darlings
Next up we have Adama Turay a former Migrant Domestic Worker in Lebanon, survivor, committed activist & one of the most generous women we know. Like many Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon Adama suffered immensely under the inhumane Kafala system. Adama is a Lead Organiser & Communications Coordinator. Since her repatriation she is putting all her efforts into DoWAN, organising & mobilising within the community. She is key in empowering & advocating on issues of human trafficking & slavery. We would be lost without her!
Illustration by: @ahlan.my.darlings
The wonderful Mariama Koroma a former Migrant Domestic Worker in Lebanon, a committed activist & one of the strongest women we know. Mariama suffered immensely under the cruel Kafala system in Lebanon. A survivor of domestic servitude Mariama is putting all her efforts into DoWAN to fight modern day slavery & to abolish Kafala. Mariama is our Assistant Director (Programmes), a vital role in the day-to-day operations & organising in DoWAN. She has been key in setting up DoWAN, she oversees our project, keeps us right & maintains the function of our initiative. We our extremely thankful Mariama’s dedication to the fight.
Illustration by: @ahlan.my.darlings
We just have so many amazing women surrounding us. Next up we have the lovely Possah Bangura. An absolute powerhouse, former Migrant Domestic Worker in Lebanon, activist & passionate advocate for women’s rights. When Possah returned from Lebanon she poured herself into our campaign to abolish kafala & stop human trafficking. She is an active member of our campaign & does most of her advocacy in Waterloo, Freetown. We are really greatful to have Possah advocating in Freetown & empowering women in our communities. We love your act of courage, dedication & that you choose to challenge every single day. Thank you!
Illustration by: @ahlan.my.darlings
Magz, Irish community rights activist is dedicated to community organising, housing rights & migrant rights in Ireland & West Asia. We met her during our time in Lebanon where she advocates & empowers domestic workers to access their rights. Not only has she been crucial in equipping us with the tools, logistics & networks to build the foundation of DoWAN she has become a dear friend. She chooses to challenge through her activism & solidarity. She has a fearless attitude & isn’t afraid to speak out. It’s an honour to have such woman in our movement.
Illustration: @ahlan.my.darlings
Last but not least we have the lovely Fatama Sesay, former Migrant Domestic Worker in Lebanon & dedicated activist. Fatama has been essential in our campaigning efforts in Moeba & the market places of Freetown where women are mostly trafficked by agents. Fatama has been pivotal is setting up our initiative & has worked endlessly to build our foundation here in Sierra Leone. We honestly can’t believe our luck in having her with us in our movement.
Thank you to @ahlan.my.darlings for the beautiful illustrations for IWD & to everyone who reached out to us to extend their solidarity. We are overwhelmed by your support. Although we are just in the beginning of our campaign we are truly ready for this fight & we will not stop raising our voices until action is taken to abolish kafala, end modern day slavery & stop human trafficking.
Illustration by: @ahlan.my.darlings
DoWAN Unite 