Actors Damion Radcliffe (left) and Tesfa Edwards (right) grab Sabrena McDonald during a skit on human trafficking at the Woman Inc 2008 Trade Fair and Exhibition held recently. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Serious talk, dramatic presentations and shopping opportunities composed this year's Woman Inc 2008 Trade Fair and Exhibition.

Under the theme 'Celebrate Life', the annual event was a mixture of fora on topical issues while various theatre groups reinforced the message through drama and songs. Patrons were also given the opportunity to shop at various booths like Avon, Kingston Bookshop and Soft Sheen Carson.

Preserve life

The need to preserve life was at the forefront on the opening day. During the official launch, a skit by the Sistren Theatre Collective addressed the issue of abduction of children.

A panel discussion exploring modern-day slavery followed. It addressed the three Ps of human trafficking: prevention, protection and prosecution. It emphasised that human trafficking in Jamaica is often shrouded in secrecy. It mostly affects young women, often with limited education and thus limited employment opportunities, who get caught in unfavourable situations in which they are being exploited.

Jennifer Williams, from the Bureau of Women's Affairs, spoke on prevention. She emphasised the need for public education, which involves raising awareness, promoting research on the issue and stimulating corporation between countries within the region to address the issue. Lisa Palmer Hamilton, from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, noted that it is not easy to prosecute these cases. One of the contributing factors is the need for the victim to be present and oftentimes it's a difficult process for them to relive. However, she said recently two persons pleaded guilty in connection to human trafficking.

Anamika Chakravorty from the United States Department of State, addressed the impact on Jamaica's tier ranking if the country is deemed not to be adequately addressing the issue.

The presentation closed with a skit by Independent Actor's Movement depicting how a young woman's financial troubles led her to being deceived into dancing in a club.

The two-day event was held on November 22 and 23 at The Jamaica Pegasus. It is put on to raise funds for Woman Inc's crisis centre and crisis shelter which lend support to abused women.