RESIDENTS of Mahdia have conflicting views on the prevalence of sexual harassment in the area, with some stating that rape does not constitute harassment.
Some believe however, that the sexual molestation of children under the age of consent is a major problem that needs to be addressed.

In a report compiled by the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), 75 per cent of children living in the mining community of Mahdia are victims of sexual harassment. The report noted that the existing state of affairs in the community that relies heavily on mining is serious, but is not unique to that location. Several secondary school girls during an interview done by the GHRA have called on authorities to hear their cries.

“I can’t talk how, when I walk in my school clothes these people say ‘sexy’, O gosh.”

One student said, “I can’t talk how, when I walk in my school clothes these people say ‘sexy’, O gosh.” The same child related that sexual harassment is prevalent in schools and said, “They need to look into these matters, bigger ones,” the child stated.
Another student said, “I notice with all these big men out there… when ya passing round deh is like them get mouse in dem mouth or something.”

The consistency with which men sexually harass young schoolgirls in the mining community has been described as “dog season” and according to a student, men are in the habit of smacking schoolgirls on their buttocks.
“… and sometime ya walking on the road and somebody just smack [lash] ya and they would be just like, ‘I just kidding’! That’s not kidding, all of that comes under sexual harassment.”
“Sexual harassment is prevalent in Mahdia. But come to think of it, what has been done with sexual harassment here? Even the police are involved with the young girls. What else can be done? I really hope it do change though,” another child stated.

Meanwhile, policemen have also been accused of sexually abusing and harassing young girls in several mining and hinterland communities according to the report, with girls of Baramita, an Amerindian mining community, reportedly being raped and sexually abused by the lawmen.
“… They need to look into these matters… I hope that this new government put in some strategies… policies and so forth. I really hope it do change,” another girl said.
Contrarily however, some residents believe that there needs to be stricter monitoring of young girls in Mahdia, as they behave out of character. A male resident reportedly called on the government to institute laws that would see the youth of the community, primarily girls, acting differently.

Mahdia, a developing community in the Potaro-Siparuni Region, is one which was built on gold and diamond –mining and its economy is centred on mining. Mining in the community attracts both local and foreign immigrants seeking wealth.
Given the prevalence of prostitution, Trafficking In Persons (TIP), alcoholism and other social ills in such communities, the male resident suggested that special attention be paid to and regulations designed for the situations that are unique to mining communities.

“It’s just that because of the culture of mining and I indicated to you that there is need to have stronger laws governing youth in the mining community and in the absence of that, the youths do whatever the youths want… so in a mining community, there is need for stricter laws governing these youths, but we don’t have,” the resident was quoted as saying in the GHRA report.

While he opined that sexual harassment is not “any big thing” in Mahdia, the man said sexual molestation is prevalent with primary school students being popular victims.
He said records show that “Mahdia don’t have no big rape case,” but said many young girls willingly participate in sexual intercourse and prostitution spreads.
When asked by the GHRA interviewer, “Do you think sexual harassment is a big issue here?” he replied, “The definition of sexual harassment is unwanted, there is no such thing as unwanted here, it’s welcome, so no, it’s not.”

Based on the survey done by the GHRA, it is clear that persons still do not know what constitutes sexual harassment. The man was reminded of the age of consent by the interviewer, but said, “… If you were to check the level of sexual activity right at the primary school — not the secondary — at the primary school, you may find it – 75% of the girls there are sexually active. So I ask the question, are 75% of the girls being molested?”

A number of girls attend secondary schools even after giving birth to their first child, he said, and added, “Every year in this community, some of these 14, 15 (year-old) making babies. I’m saying to you it’s a culture, right, where one child, girl child go and, let’s say she was molested and now she’s getting cash from it.”
Friends then begin to inquire after seeing the girl now receiving a lot of money, and become influenced easily or pressured into prostitution from a tender age.
“So I’m saying to you that the whole percentage is not molestation, it begun so,” the man told the GHRA.