Latest update January 30th, 2025 6:10 AM
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Ministry launches “Jubilee Edition” TIP prevention materials
Umbrellas, coasters, key rings, hand bands, leaflets, among other items, were introduced as part of the Ministry of Social Protection’s ‘Jubilee Edition’ of the Trafficking in Persons Educational Materials’.
Officials of the Ministry examine the ‘Jubilee Edition’ materials.
Officially launching the ‘Jubilee Edition’ to coincide with Guyana’s ongoing 50th Independence celebration was Director of Social Services of the Ministry, Mr. Whentworth Tanner, during a ceremony at the Cornhill Street, Stabroek, Georgetown location of the Ministry.
He observed that “just like all silent crimes, human trafficking go significantly under reported. We have this issue with our child abuse that we try to combat every day; we have the issue with domestic violence that we work on tirelessly here at the Ministry.”
But as it pertains to human trafficking, he asserted that “we intend to keep this as a front-burner issue and in keeping with that we have decided today and moving forward to have paraphernalia and other items to keep persons informed and up to speed with the Ministry’s effort.”
The intent, he noted, is to ensure that persons are constantly reminded of their responsibility to help the Ministry’s efforts to help the people who are trafficked or are victims of all forms of abuse.
“The effects go far beyond the point where they are abused but it can continue to affect their lives moving forward,” said Tanner as he stressed the need to distribute materials to remind Guyanese, in particular, of the scourge of human trafficking and to partner with the Ministry to continue to fight the TIP battle.
According to Police Officer, Ms. Reneta McBean, who is attached to the Ministry’s TIP Unit, selecting the materials was a very careful process.
She explained that the umbrella symbolises protection by the Ministry, the Police Force and the Court of Law for existing TIP victims and others who, because of their circumstances, will be made vulnerable to human trafficking.
“The natural umbrella is used to shield from the vagaries of nature, and in the same manner, symbolically we want to remind Guyanese that they have a friend in the Ministry and its agencies that will stand with them when manmade troubles confront them,” said McBean.
She added that coasters, as one of the available materials, would be used by patrons who frequent bars to rest their glasses or bottles to prevent water vapour from soiling where the glasses are placed.
According to McBean, coasters like umbrellas, also represent protective measures. “From a business person’s perspective, coasters protect something valuable and precious from harm and damage.
The Ministry treasures the people of this country and will traverse every Region to extract human traffickers from normal society to protect the nation,” added the officer.
Part of the ‘Jubilee Edition’ are key rings and, according to McBean, “it is not by accident that we have not given out keys because the people are the key to their destiny…We are giving key rings because we want to be connected to the keys – the people who are the real authority and have first-hand knowledge of the evils of human trafficking,” said the officer.
And then the hand bands, she added, are a symbol of power and industriousness. According to her, the hand band symbolises a bond of protection and a peaceful life. “It reflects the joining of people and entities in the protection of the vulnerable. Anyway you look at it our intention is singular. We are here to protect the people of Guyana,” said McBean.
Also speaking at yesterday’s forum was Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Mohan Adrian Ramrattan.
According to him, millions worldwide and thousands in Guyana are affected – directly and indirectly by the scourge of human trafficking.
“TIP is a modern day evil. This is a new form of slavery (that) violates the sacred dignity of human-beings by snatching from them their absolute freedom of choice.”
He, moreover, insisted that the Ministry will continue to be aggressive in its efforts to prevent trafficking, to prosecute traffickers and to protect the human rights of all duped by unscrupulous strangers and unprincipled family members who traffic victims.
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