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Broomes lauds media for highlighting Trafficking in Persons
Simona Broomes
Simona Broomes, President of the Guyana Women Miners’ Organization, (GWMO) has praised the local media for partnering with the organization in highlighting Trafficking In Persons (TIP) in Guyana.
Broomes, who was recently honoured by US Secretary of State John Kerry as one of the 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes, said that the since the organization began its work in 2012, the media has played an integral role in bringing to light this heinous crime.
According to the woman miner, she was surprised and humbled at the same time by the willingness of media houses to allow staff to go into the fields with members of GWMO on their various operations and outreaches in far flung communities.
“Those reporters did not have to go with us but they did regardless if it were bus, plane, and pick-up; whatever mode of transportation it was they were with us. They stood by us and even put themselves in grave danger,” she said.
Recapping an incident where members of the organization were confronted by a group of men who believed that the rightful place for a woman was the kitchen, Broomes said that the photo-journalist kept filming the episode.
She said it is instances like those that provide a sense of security for the women who risked their own safety to rescue other disadvantaged women and girls from the “sex trade,” which is referred to as modern day slavery. However, the life-threatening situations these media personnel put themselves into highlight injustices such as child labour and sexual slavery is not always regarded.
“It is because of this very reason and the partnership gained in this fight I say thank you to the publishers, editors and reporters. The media fraternity in Guyana has been brave in joining with the GWMO to highlight a problem that was not looked at seriously. The media has gotten my respect,” Broomes emphasized.
She stressed that the work of the GWMO would have gone unnoticed had it not been for the brave work of the media.
According to Broomes, while some in society say that the media exaggerates the reportage of incidents of TIP she believes otherwise. She stated that the media account of the situations are accurate and balanced but may be embarrassing for those who do not want to face the reality.
Broomes said that before she was honoured by the US, the international media contacted her and that was made possible through the local media.
Besides the media, the organization has received support from men, including Reginald Browne, Hector Broomes, Dr. Lazaro Ordonez, John Charles, Desmond Hamer, Ronald Fernandez, and Sean Campbell.
According to Broomes, these men have been very helpful in the organization’s operation and also venture into the hinterland region for protection purposes sometimes.
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