Secretary of State John Kerry recognized President of the Guyana Women Miners Organization (GWMO) Simona Broomes as one of the 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes at a June 19 ceremony at the U.S. Department of State to unveil the 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report.
Secretary of State John Kerry recognized President of the Guyana Women Miners Organization (GWMO) Simona Broomes as one of the 2013 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes at a June 19 ceremony at the U.S. Department of State to unveil the 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report.
Each year, the Department of State honors individuals around the world who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking. In 2013, nine people were chosen as TIP Report Heroes in the Fight against Modern-Day Slavery. Guyana’s Simona Broomes was selected from among the many impressive nominees from around the world. Ms. Broomes has demonstrated extraordinary bravery and leadership in raising the awareness of human trafficking in Guyana.
Excerpt from the Trafficking in Persons Report 2013
Simona Broomes is a courageous leader in assisting human trafficking victims and raising awareness about human trafficking in Guyana. After 25 years as a miner, in 2012 she established the Guyana Women Miners Organization (GWMO), a volunteer membership and advocacy organization, to empower women miners and address the economic discrimination and physical intimidation that women miners face. The GWMO is the first organization of its kind in Guyana comprising women miners advocating on a cross-section of social and economic issues. Ms. Broomes has worked relentlessly to engage the government, the international community, and the media to raise public awareness about human trafficking, identify traffickers, promote access to victim care in remote mining communities, improve the law enforcement response, and increase job training for women in mining.
In April, Ms. Broomes was physically assaulted by traffickers while rescuing victims. Despite the dangers of retaliation, however, she has assisted several victims, and GWMO members have temporarily housed survivors before transporting them from remote areas to government care and law enforcement officials in the capital. Under her dynamic leadership, the GWMO and its 440 members have become undeniably powerful anti-trafficking advocates and a recognized force in combating human trafficking while promoting equality and economic opportunities for women in Guyana.
