“We need persons on the ground”

– Minister Persaud tells Guyana Women Miners Organisation

Representatives of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation paid a courtesy call on Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud on September 4, 2020 where a candid discussion ensued on ways to strengthen the relationship between the Ministry and the Association.

The organization plays an active role in rescuing victims of child abuse, human trafficking and sexual exploitation/abuse in hinterland communities.

 Urica Primus, the Organisation’s president and Ms. Sheffield Douglas, Deputy Coordinator of the Organisation’s Social Services Committee revealed to the Minister some of the victims they saved were as young as age seven. The Minster was appalled by the disturbing facts and queried the status of the cases highlighted.

At the meeting’s conclusion, it was agreed a monthly meeting be scheduled with representatives from the Minister’s office, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Counter-Trafficking In Persons (C-TIP) Unit, Guyana Women Miners Association 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,” Minster Persaud added.