Sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of GBV hinder the development of individuals and society. To raise awareness of this, the United Nations in Suriname held a workshop in the Torarica Banquet Hall. For Minister of Interior Bronto Somohardjo, it is important that rules and laws be made to create a just society, where it is good for citizens to live. This fits right in with the Government's approach to Sustainable Development Goals # 5, with Suriname emphasizing gender equity and gender equality.
On October 19, 2022, the workshop prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) was held. The aim of the workshop was to shed light on the measures that can be taken to combat PSEA. Next to that, to make stakeholders aware that when working with Tribal and Indigenous people one has to abide by the FPIC methodology for ensuring decision-making, engagement, and inclusiveness. FPIC is a relatively new topic for the collaborating partners in Joint SDG projects. To ensure that the goals of the Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA) program - the pineapple project, the SDG1 component as well as the SRH projects are successfully implemented, more understanding of FPIC is needed. The VIDS (Association of Indigenous leaders) representative, Max Ooft, has knowledge about FPIC and did an interactive presentation.
“If we want to move forward as a country, we will have to protect everyone and in particular the most vulnerable groups in our society, such as women, young people, and people with disabilities,” underlines Minister Somohardjo. According to him, it is important that everyone is aware that we need to create a working environment that is physically and emotionally safe for everyone. “And that should be experienced as such in any relationship; employer–employee, supervisor–subordinate, service provider – consumer, and trainer – trainee, and so on.”
The minister recalled that two important laws have recently been approved and passed by the National Assembly. These are the laws: Violence and Sexual harassment and the Labor and Equal Work act. These laws aim to create equal opportunities for everyone and a safe working environment, without discriminating against anyone. Siegmien Staphorst as representative of the Illse Henar Hewitt Stichting presented an overview of the long road that women's organizations had to pave for getting the law on Violence and Sexual harassment passed by the government.
According to Minister Somohardjo, guaranteeing gender equity and gender equality can only be achieved if all the involved actors work with and for each other. All government bodies, civil society, and UN Suriname will have to make the necessary efforts to implement and guarantee the integration of PSEA - and FPIC protocols in their working environment and working with vulnerable groups.
UFPA's next steps include providing PSEA training for the IP and UN Suriname as well as awareness sessions about the use of FPIC.
