THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security intends, very soon, to launch a ‘Train the Trainers’ Workshop that will look at issues surrounding Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in Guyana, Minister Jennifer Webster disclosed yesterday. 

Speaking in an invited comment, Webster told the Chronicle on the telephone that the ministry intends to bring together some 50 persons from across the country’s 10 administrative regions to participate in the five-day workshop.
According to Webster, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had provided funding to Guyana last year to deal with TIP issues. This workshop, therefore, is in keeping with those funds provided, she explained.
In May 2012, the ministry had received US$75,000 from UNDP for a project to help combat human trafficking by providing support to victims and their families.
The project aims to strengthen ongoing efforts of the ministry toward public awareness, training of focal points in the regions, victim support and updating the directory of focal points in the administrative regions.
Minister Webster had said she was very pleased that UNDP has joined forces to help fight human trafficking and that her ministry was working feverishly in trying to get the public sensitised on the issue.
She said also that the Guyanese populace needed to be each other’s keeper and report any irregularity that they may see within their community.
The minister had said, too, that her ministry will continue to give support to persons who are affected by human trafficking and that she was going to continue being partners with UNDP to help alleviate the national problem.
UNDP Country Representative Khadija Meusa, at the handing-over ceremony, had said that they were very pleased to support the government in the implementation of this important project.
Meusa had said UNDP will collaborate with the ministry to strengthen their capacity to respond to issues relating to TIP in Guyana.
She said TIP is a major concern for all stakeholders, not only in Guyana, but also around the world and that young women, particularly from hinterland and vulnerable coastland communities, are the most affected.