Ministerial Task Force urges stakeholders to join fight against trafficking in persons

THE Ministry of Home Affairs has reported that, in keeping with the 2014-2015 Action Plan of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (MTFTIP), a team from the Task Force visited Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) from September 16-20, 2014 to conduct awareness and sensitisation activities among residents and secondary school students.
The ministry, in a statement yesterday, said sessions were held at Karasabai, Aishalton, Sand Creek, Annai, Lethem, Long Creek and St. Ignatius where team members delivered presentations on trafficking in persons, paying particular attention to areas such as the causes of trafficking in persons, detection of TIP, consequences to victims, and techniques used by traffickers.
Discussions were subsequently carried out and participants were able to voice their concerns. The concerns were documented by the team for follow-up action.
At Karasabai, the team spoke with Community Health Workers and Toshaos from Tiger Pond, Tipuru, Rukumuta, Yurongparu, Karasabai, Pai Pang and Taushida on trafficking in persons. The team also took advantage of Heritage Day celebrations in Tiger Pond to speak to upwards of 50 residents.
With regard to the visits to the secondary schools, presentations on trafficking in persons were 325 students of forms three to five. This included 70 students from Sand Creek Secondary, 165 students from Annai Secondary and 90 students from Aishalton Secondary.
In each of the schools, brochures and posters were handed to students. Materials were also given to the Headteacher of St. Ignatius Secondary for distribution to students.
The Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons stands committed in implementing its Comprehensive Action Plan to combat trafficking in persons in Guyana and calls upon all stakeholders to join in the fight against trafficking in persons.