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Informal Workers Organization-SL

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Informal Workers Organization-SL

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Informal Workers Organization is an organization that promotes the rights, dignity and welfare of informal through advocacy and capacity building to enhance their livelihood and employability.

09/09/2024

The Informal Workers Organization (IWO) through its efforts to complement government policies on financial inclusion and improve women’s economic empowerment in line with the GEWE Act, has, during this week, shared out monies saved through the Village Savings Loan Scheme (VSLA) for women and men in fishing and agriculture in Bailor Wharf, Menika, and Robuenk in Portloko District.

The objective is to provide a structured platform for the less privileged people to save money regularly, which leads to financial security and enhanced livelihoods, fosters a sense of community among them, encourages cooperation and mutual support, and members to access loans for various purposes.

The accumulated savings were distributed to the members in proportion to the total savings each person contributed throughout the 12-month savings cycle. Group members were able to access loans with their monies saved with minimal interest rates, and the interest generated was grouped into two, namely, personal and general interest, which was owned by members.

The excitement on the faces of members was top-notch, and this calls for financial inclusion for women and young people in the rural communities as these monies will serve as investments in education for their kids, unforeseen expenses, start-up capital for businesses, and reinvestment in their businesses. The groups then initiate a new savings cycle to maintain continuity in supporting themselves. Through these engagements, we are fostering collaboration to ensure our interventions are impactful and sustainable.

30/07/2024

July 30th is the World Day Against Trafficking in Person (TIP). The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is an international day dedicated to raising awareness about Human Trafficking, and the actions taken to prevent it. This day aims to promote efforts to reduce Human Trafficking, protect its victims, and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Human Trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and a grave crime that affects millions of people worldwide. It involves the exploitation of individuals, often through force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of labour, s*xual exploitation, and organ removal.

The victims of Human Trafficking can be anyone, regardless of their age, gender, or background, and they are often lured with false promises of legitimate employment or a better life. Internal and External Human Trafficking in Sierra Leone is on the increase and needs collaborative partnerships to minimize this modern-day slavery. On this note, the Informal Workers Organization (IWO) joins the global stage and its partners to raise awareness through its public awareness campaign on trafficking in person on the global theme; “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking” and IWO theme; “Bring all Actors Together in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.

To minimize Human Trafficking, it is important to raise awareness about its consequences and the actions taken to prevent it. These include educating people about the warning signs of human trafficking, promoting the importance of ethical labour practices, and supporting organizations that work to protect the rights of vulnerable individuals. Working together through partnerships with the government, International Partners, NGOs, CBOs, CSOs, local authorities, families and the victims, we can help protect the rights of vulnerable individuals and create a safer, more just world for everyone.

02/07/2024

The Informal Workers Organization is a regional economic justice and human rights non-governmental organization that seeks to promote and protect the rights, dignity, and welfare of informal workers in the Mano River Basin. Informal workers over the years could not afford to make savings either the formal or informal means.

The organization through its efforts to complement government policies on financial inclusion has formed the Village Savings Loan Scheme (VSLA) for Informal workers. The purpose is to provide a structured platform for Informal workers to save money regularly which leads to financial security and improved livelihoods.

The organization provides training for the VSLAs’ on record-keeping to the group executives and members on financial literacy. Together, we can rebuild the Informal economy.

13/03/2024

The Informal Workers Organization is a regional economic justice and human rights non-governmental organization that seeks to promote and protect the rights, dignity, and welfare of informal workers in the Mano River Basin. Domestic workers over the years, due to the nature of their jobs, were paid below the minimum wage, and could not afford to make savings either the formal or informal means.

The organization through its efforts to complement government policies on financial inclusion, has formed the Village Savings Loan Scheme (VSLA) for domestic workers in the informal sector. The purpose is to provide a structured platform for domestic workers to save money regularly which leads to financial security and improved livelihoods, fosters a sense of community among domestic workers, encourages cooperation and mutual support, and a member to access loans for various purposes. The organization provides training for the VSLAs’ on record-keeping to the group executives and members on financial literacy.

On the 12th of March, 2024, the accumulated savings were distributed to the members in proportion to the total savings each person contributes throughout the 12-month savings cycle. The pictures can dictate the excitement on the faces of members which calls for financial inclusion for women in the informal economy as these monies are going to serve as start-up capital for businesses, investment in education, health, skills training, unforeseen expenses, house upkeep, etc. The group then starts a new savings cycle to maintain continuity in support of themselves.

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08/03/2024

The Informal Workers Organization was today, 8th of March, 2024 at the Miatta Conference Ground to celebrate International Women’s Day on the theme: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” through the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and its development partners. Chelcy Alma Heroe, the CEO and Founder is a leading champion that strives for equality, equity, and empowerment in Sierra Leone and beyond in the informal sector, particularly work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equality in the trades. She believes women working in the male-dominated trades contribute to the economy of the country, and break barriers that pave the way for the future generation of women. Together, we are forging a path towards gender equality and economic empowerment.

15/01/2024

Documentary of the Informal Workers Organization (IWO) Third Stakeholders Meeting held at the Family kingdom Resort in Aberdeen – Freetown on the topic; “Promoting jobs to Enhance Job Creation for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Informal Economy,” Funded by Open Society Foundations (OSF).

07/12/2023

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that aims to raise awareness and take action against gender-based violence and human trafficking. The Informal Workers Organization joins the globe to raise awareness and advocate through the street parade in the western Rural Areal District to shed light on critical issues and promote social change, as well as to highlight the prevalence and the impact of gender-based- violence and trafficking to foster community engagement to prevent, protect victims, potential victims and prosecute perpetrators and to protect survivors.

No one deserves to suffer from gender-based violence or trafficking. It is a violation of your fundamental human rights, dignity, and your autonomy. The informal worker's organization sends a powerful message of support and solidarity to every one of you who has experienced this unimaginable trauma. You are not alone, and we stand by you in your journey toward healing and justice. Your resilience is truly inspiring, and it is essential to recognize that the fault lies solely with the perpetrators and not you. Don’t allow your experience to define you. They are part of your journey, but they do not diminish your worth, your dreams, or your ability to create a better future for yourself.

Together, we must continue to raise awareness, challenge societal norms, and fight against gender-based violence and trafficking. We will not rest until every survivor is treated with compassion, respect, and dignity.
16

06/12/2023

Many acts of gender-based violence are caused by trafficking. To address this, we must address human trafficking. Especially for communities where poverty and the lack of information on human trafficking/gender-based violence persist, legal empowerment of communities helps vulnerable communities to know, use and shape the law in addressing these injustices. Grassroots justice is important because it enhances the involvement of community members in developing solutions to their problems. It also educates communities on the causes, effects, and warning signs of trafficking and gender-based violence.

Today, 6th of December 2023, the Informal Workers Organization (IWO) was at the Obasanjo Technical Skills Training Center at the Western Rural Area District to raise awareness on the 16 Days of Activism against Gender- based Violence on the theme “No Trafficking of youths and women, No to gender- based violence”. Through this engagement, the awareness and advocacy seek to educate the public, challenge, social norms, and call for legal and policy reforms to addressed gender- based violence and human trafficking as IWO Quote say it all “EYES OFF OUR YOUTHS AND WOMEN”.

To prevent gender-based violence and trafficking in learning institutions, a multi-faceted approach is necessary, including education, awareness-raising, and policy reform. This can involve providing education and training on gender-based violence, creating safe spaces for victims and potential victims, and implementing policies to prevent and respond to incidents of violence. Let's stand against human trafficking and gender-based violence in our communities.

25/11/2023

Day 1: Campaign Kick-off

"Today marks the first day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Join us in the fight to end human trafficking, a form of violence that disproportionately affects women and youths worldwide on the Informal Workers Organization (IWO )theme: “No Trafficking of youths and women, No to gender- based violence”. IWO quote “EYES OFF OUR YOUTHS AND WOMEN “Stand with us. Stand for them.
"

02/11/2023

In dialogue and participatory stakeholders meeting held at the Family Kingdom Resort in Aberdeen, Freetown, on Tuesday, 31st of October 2023, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Isata Mahoi, the Minister of Gender and Children Affairs, discoursed a gathering of organizations devoted to promoting jobs for women in the informal economy on the topic; “Promoting Jobs to Enhance Job Creation for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Informal Economy” funded by Open Society Foundations (OSF)

The minister underlined the importance of creating an enabling environment for women’s participation in the formal and informal sectors. She pinpointed a series of critical issues that need to be addressed to empower and protect women working in the informal sector, including but not limited to the necessity of signed contracts with clearly defined conditions and stimulating a co-existence society where women are treated with dignity and empathy.

She assured the audience that the government had taken substantial steps to create an enabling environment through policy and legal reforms. She emphasized the need to examine the implementation of these reforms, particularly for women in the informal economy, as they immensely contribute to the socio-economy of the nation.

The CEO and Founder of the Informal Workers Organization, Madam Chelcy Alma Heroe, made a concise presentation not limited to the organization's background, projects implemented, and success of the organization. She, however, urged the audience to enhance job creation for gender equality and women’s empowerment in the informal sector.

He who feels it knows it. IWO Gender Ambassadors presented and showcased their different skills working in male-dominated jobs, and pleaded to the government for scholarship opportunities to improve their skills and help other illiterate women who dropped out of school, who had experienced teenage pregnancy, and commercial s*x workers.

31/10/2023

Today, 31st of October 2023, the Informal Workers Organization (IWO) held a fruitful and collaborative discussion on the third stakeholders meeting on the topic “Promoting Jobs to Enhance Job Creation for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in the Informal Economy” funded by Open Society Foundations (OSF) at the Family Kingdom Resort Aberdeen.

The Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs, Madam Isata Mahoi, a representative form the ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Employment, Labour and Social Security, Youth Commission, Action Aid, UN Women, Women Forum, Rokel Commercial Bank and media houses were in attendance.

Today’s World of works is marketed by pervasive gender inequality. Despite the increasing labour force engagement rates, women are still marginalized in the informal sector in term of their share in employment, remuneration and working conditions A significant proportion of female workers earns their livelihood in the informal economy and faces several multidimensional and structural constraints and discriminatory social and cultural norms that limit their access to asset, financial service,and skills development opportunities.

As an economic justice non- governmental organization, IWO is calling on women to participate in the male- dominated trades so as to promote gender equality, equity, inclusion and women’s empowerment.As we strive towards a more equitable and just society; it is vital to address gender inequality in the workforce and promote jobs that enhance gender equality and women's empowerment in the informal economy.

By providing women with access to training, resources, and support, we can help them build their skills and increase their earning potential. If women are empowered in the workforce, they can better support their families, invest in their communities, and drive economic growth.

Address

4 Cape Road Aberdeen Freetown
Freetown
00232

Telephone

+23278483573

Website

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