Social Protection Minister to facilitate monthly stakeholders’ meeting to address TIP

Representatives of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) recently paid a courtesy call on Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud during which discussions were held on ways to strengthen the relationship between the Ministry and the association.
The Organisation plays an active role in rescuing victims of child abuse, human trafficking and sexual exploitation/abuse in hinterland communities.
GWMO President Urica Primus and its Social Services Committee Deputy Coordinator, Sheffield Douglas told the Minister that some of the victims they saved were as young as seven years old.
The Minister was appalled by the disturbing facts and queried the status of the cases highlighted.
At the meeting’s conclusion, it was agreed that a monthly meeting would be scheduled with representatives from the Minister’s office; the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA); Counter-Trafficking In Persons (C-TIP) Unit; GWMO and Child Advocacy Centres to facilitate information sharing “with the view of eliminating duplication of roles and responsibilities in protecting victims”.
“We must have a more practical approach to address the inadequacies…because we at the Ministry cannot do it alone. We need persons on the ground. We have to be preemptive, not reactive,” Minister Persaud added.