C-TIP Unit joins in observing International Day for Abolition of Slavery
GINA, GUYANA, Friday, December 2, 2016
The Ministry of Social Protection, Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit (C-TIP) is heightening awareness campaigns today, against human trafficking as Guyana joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
Acting Coordinator, C-TIP Unit, Tanisha Williams-Corbin told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that human trafficking is modern day slavery, and the C-TIP unit will be creating awareness of this scourge under the theme “Look out, Speak out and Take down.”
Acting Coordinator, C-TIP Unit, Tanisha Williams-Corbin displaying the banner that will be used to create awareness at key areas to fight human trafficking
Williams-Corbin explained that the C-TIP unit is not taking TIP lightly, especially since the offence is on the increase. She explained that as part of awareness campaigns planned to sensitise citizens on human trafficking, the unit has designed awareness banners that will be showcased at key areas across the country.
One is mounted at the Ministry of Social Protection, Cornhill and Lamaha Streets location; the others will be at the Eugene F. Correia Airport. “We chose our areas through strategic measures where we basically focus on transport routes. We’re looking at the Stabroek, Parika and Vreed-en-Hoop stellings, and the Mahdia and Linden areas to raise awareness of trafficking in persons today as we observe International Day for the Abolition of Slavery today,” Williams-Corbin explained.
The Acting Coordinator noted that the aim of the awareness campaigns is to encourage the reporting of cases. “When we do these activities there are more reports coming into the unit, and so we have the hotline numbers on the banners for persons to have access to the unit and report on suspected cases of trafficking in Guyana,” Williams- Corbin said.
December 2 is known International Day for the Abolition of Slavery worldwide. The day marks the date of the adoption, by the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of Trafficking in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.
The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as TIP, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), there are currently an estimated 21 million forced labour victims worldwide, creating US$ 150 billion in illegal profits in the private economy each year.
By: Ranetta La Fleur