Any attempt to discriminate against differently- abled persons is an attempt to jeopardize the sterling contributions they can make to society.

This was expressed by President Donald Ramotar, as he addressed the newly appointed members of the National Commission on disability.

President Ramotar emphasized on the productivity and contributions of disabled- persons to National Development.

The Guyana Women Miners’ Organization (GWMO) is now better equipped to help tackle human trafficking and promote child protection, thanks to its budding partnership with the Child Care Protection Agency.
Yesterday, weeks after the GWMO aided in the rescue of four minors from human trafficking, members of the Non-Government Organization (NGO), benefited from a workshop focusing on laws and general responses of government to child protection. The workshop, held at the National Library, was facilitated by the agency.
According to Director of the Child Care Protection Agency, Ann Greene, linkage between the two organizations is critical, as they have similar goals. The agency has always expressed interest in working with NGOs since child protection cannot be achieved in isolation.
She emphasized that the GWMO operates at the community level and this is a critical aspect in protecting children.

Members of the Guyana Women Miners Association have participated in a seminar aimed at protecting women and children from exploitation, violence and abuse within mining communities.

They told the National Communication Network that they are very concerned about instances of human trafficking in the mining communities and hope that the seminar will better equip them to help victims.

Human services and Social Security Minister, Jennifer Webster said the government has a proactive mechanism in place to investigate reported and non- reported cases of human trafficking to bring perpetrators to justice.

Apart from legislation, she highlighted the setting up of the national task force on trafficking in persons, as well as the provision of legal aid services, medical support, counseling, accommodation and food for victims.

Source: NCN

- Organization calls for Ministry’s staff to be more dedicated

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security will be training members of Guyana Women Miners’ Organization to effectively deal with victims of sexual crimes in keeping with the law.
This workshop will be conducted next Thursday, two weeks after the organization helped rescue four teenage girls, who were victims of trafficking in persons.
The group, who reached out to ranks of the Bartica Police Station, aided the rescue of the first of the four teenagers, who had escaped from her captives in Oko Backdam, Region Seven. After learning of the remaining girls, ranks went to release them from exploitation.
The organization provided clothing, shelter and medical care for the teens.
Three Sundays ago, the teens were taken from East Berbice by a woman, who presented herself as Abigail. Feeling the burden to finance their families, the children went with the woman who had promised them employment as shopkeepers in the interior.
However, when they arrived at the brothel they were informed that they had to have sex with men. Refusal to entertain the men resulted in imprisonment, physical, sexual and emotional abuses.
That episode of their lives is over and the teens are now with the State.

Honourable Prime Minister-Mr.Samuel A.Hinds, O.E.M.P, Honourable Mr. Raphael Trotman, M.P-Speaker of the National Assembly, Brigadier (Ret’d) David A. Granger, M.S.S, M.P-Leader of the Opposition, Colleague Members of Parliament of this National Assembly, Clerk and Staff of the National Assembly, Ladies and Gentlemen of the media.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to give my support to Budget 2012 under the theme “Remaining on Course, United in Purpose, Prosperity for all”.

Let me extend congratulations to my colleague the Honourable Dr. Ashni Singh-Minister of Finance for articulating such a vision in this year’s budget presentation, which will ensure that our country remains on the path to prosperity.