Human trafficking of Amerindian women in Guyana: challenges and strategies.
OBJECTIVE
This human-interest article aims to increase awareness of the root causes of Guyanese Amerindian vulnerability.


BACKGROUND
In 2000, while working among the Wai Wai, Makushi and Wapishana tribes in the Rupununi, the author made a promise to a tribal Captain never to forget his people. Not only are the Amerindian people remembered, but their plight is being recognized and shared in an effort to end the exploitation of Guyanese Amerindian women. Every year, international humanitarian teams gain permission to provide health care and health education in Amerindian villages in Guyana. Ensuring that international health teams are informed about current Amerindian issues is vital to mission success. Lack of indigenous awareness with regard to human trafficking is evidence that Guyana's trafficking awareness campaign did not effectively reach the interior and therefore, international teams can be instrumental in bringing awareness to those most vulnerable to human traffickers. Improving indigenous and international awareness has the potential to reduce vulnerability, and to reduce the risk of humanitarian teams unknowingly sending silent victims back into a life of forced labour and sexual exploitation.


METHODS
Emphasis is placed on discriminatory institutional and cultural factors impacting on young indigenous women increasing the likelihood of exploitation by human traffickers. Policy and service activities are examined to ascertain Guyana's current capacity to address human trafficking and meet the needs of victims.


CONCLUSIONS
Building institutional and community capacity, and empowering indigenous peoples to take ownership for individual, family and community awareness and action against human trafficking are important steps to take in reducing vulnerability, ending human rights violations and improving the status of indigenous women.
Mantini
L
L
lmantini@hotmail.com
D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006172:Guyana; D045809:Human Rights Abuses / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D007391:International Cooperation; D011203:Poverty; D011640:Public Policy; D011477:Sex Work; D014171:Transients and Migrants