Hello to Our Friends and Network,
We would like to send you our newsletter for the last two months of the year 2024. Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve accomplished together:
📚 Empowering Justice: Strengthening Legal Protections for Women and Girls in Laos
AAT is making strides in improving legal support for women and girls in Laos. Many victims of sexual exploitation have struggled to access justice, often facing limited legal assistance and abandoned cases. Additionally, Thai courts relied on AAT to locate Lao victims for further testimony and compensation.
To address these challenges, AAT continued this initiative to train ten Lao lawyers in handling sexual abuse and human trafficking cases. From November to December 2024, the lawyers participated in intensive training in Laos, with three traveling to Thailand for further skill development. These lawyers will share their knowledge with peers in early 2025, expanding legal expertise.
This program included hands-on casework under AAT’s legal experts, equipping lawyers to provide stronger legal assistance to victims in Laos.
Capacity-Building for Lao Legal Officers
Between November 12 and December 10, 2024, AAT conducted a training program to enhance the legal skills of Lao lawyers and officers.
Key Achievements:
- Practical Learning: Exchanges with Thai legal agencies, including CCIB, SR Law Office, DSI, and the Human Trafficking Prosecutor’s Office.
- Field Experience: Visits to shelters such as Baan Isara, LPN, and the A21 Center, plus hands-on case handling through mock trials.
This initiative enhanced skills in assisting victims through legal processes, fostered collaboration, and strengthened cross-border efforts to advance justice and combat human trafficking. It marks a significant step in protecting vulnerable groups and supporting survivors. Special thanks to the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) for their support in making this event possible.
Empowering Women in Ban Thanon Hak: Online Safety Training
November 30, 2024
AAT conducted an online safety training session in Ban Thanon Hak, Nang Rong District, Buriram Province, equipping 57 Thai women, aged 16 to 86, with essential knowledge on online risks and safe overseas travel.
Key Outcomes:
- Practical Skills: Participants learned how to recognize scams, protect personal information, and block dangerous contacts.
- Increased Awareness: Women gained insights on safeguarding themselves and their families from online threats.
- Actionable Steps: Training covered reporting incidents and seeking help effectively.
- Community Impact: Feedback highlighted the need for continued training and expanded preventive measures for both the community and students.
This initiative strengthens digital literacy and empowers women to navigate the online world safely, ensuring greater protection for themselves and their loved ones.
🤝 Providing Emergency Assistance to Conflict-Affected Women and Children in Shan State, Myanmar
November 1 – December 31, 2024
As part of the Humanitarian Response for Conflict-Affected Myanmar Nationals-Thailand project, funded by Care USA, AAT provided essential support to vulnerable women and children impacted by armed conflict in Shan State.
Key Interventions:
- Health & Safety: Assisted pregnant women and individuals with sexual health concerns by providing access to treatment and safe spaces.
- Emergency Aid: Distributed food, survival kits, and emergency relief items to those in crisis.
- Community Engagement: Strengthened support networks by collaborating with monks, women leaders, and local communities.
Project Success:
- Timely Support: Provided emergency aid in areas facing food shortages, ensuring immediate relief to 4,298 people. Among these, 2,850 are women and children.
- Bridging Assistance Gaps: Addressed the needs of conflict-affected communities often overlooked by organizations focusing solely on flood relief.
By fostering gender equality, protecting children’s rights, and filling critical aid gaps, this initiative has played a vital role in improving the lives of those affected by conflict.
Protecting girls from exploitation: a 3-year collaboration
Thanks to partnership and support with Free a Girl and AFAS Foundation, we have been able to safeguard 66 girls, empower survivors, and strengthen schools in the fight against sexual exploitation. Through our collaborative efforts, we have not only rescued and supported victims but also laid the foundation for sustainable change. By equipping survivors to become leaders and advocates, engaging schools in prevention and awareness, and supporting child-friendly justice, we are breaking the cycle of exploitation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the AFAS Foundation for their unwavering support in this critical mission. Together we have created a safer future for the children in Thailand. |
🏠 Community Engagement Highlights (Click link to read more)
- Workplace Training: Educated HBX Group employees on preventing exploitation and harassment.
- LFIB Jobs Forum: Inspired students to pursue humanitarian work.
- Global Outreach: We shared AAT’s mission with 19 Finnish visitors, including students from Tampere University and staff from FELM, who are now promoting our work and global giving page. Additionally, 9 Asian artists and 4 festival organizers of the Baturu Cultural Festival visited us and expressed interest in collaborating next year to support women’s social causes.
✨ Join the Fight for Freedom
The need for justice and safety continues in 2025. We can build a world where children and women are safe from exploitation.
💙 Donate today: aatthai.org/donation
📩 Partner with us: global@allianceantitrafic.org
Thank you for standing with us in this journey to create lasting change.