September 2024 has been a rewarding month for Alliance Anti Trafic (AAT). We are deeply honored to receive the 2024 Her Awards from UNFPA Thailand, recognizing our organization’s efforts to combat all forms of sexual exploitation. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that we have received a generous grant from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, which will support our work in Thailand and Laos
We would also like to share some recent successes: we successfully prosecuted three traffickers who had trafficked 6 Thai women for exploitation in Benin, West Africa, who were rescued and repatriated by AAT last year. Moreover, recently one of our former beneficiaries has passed the university entrance exam and will be pursuing a degree in social work
Please keep reading on to learn more about our achievements! 💫
1. HER AWARDS 2024 by UNFPA
🎉We’re thrilled to announce that Alliance Anti Trafic has received the 2024 Her Awards from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thailand! 🏆
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. This Her Award recognizes the contributions of individuals or organizations that work on enhancing society and supporting the well-being of the Thai population. As one of 110 remarkable individuals and organizations recognized, we AAT are recognized for our constant efforts in combating gender-based violence, gender inequality, and sexual exploitation.
Here we would also like to dedicate this award to you, because if without you – our unwavering supporters, committed volunteers, and global network – our dream for a brighter, safer future for women and girls will be hard to achieve. With this Her Award, we will continue our mission of empowering women and girls across Southeast Asia with you!
2. Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
We are excited to announce that AAT has received a generous grant from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives to support our initiatives in both Thailand and Laos!
In Thailand, the grant will support research to advocate for stronger laws and policies protecting minors from sexual exploitation, aiming to create a safer future for our girls and young women.
In Laos, this funding will provide training for local lawyers to assist women and girls from exploitation and abuse, making it easier for women and girls to access legal options for justice and protection.
A huge thank-you to the Canada Fund for partnering with us in this vital mission and standing with us in protecting women and girls in both Thailand and Laos.
3. Successful Prosecution of Traffickers
The Thai Anti Human Trafficking Unit has recently arrested 3 persons suspected of being involved in the trafficking ring that lured 6 Thai women from Thailand to Benin, a West African country.
In 2023, AAT first received the case notification from these six Thai women, learning that these six women were victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. Hence, we immediately coordinated their rescue, assisted in finding and supporting shelter and meals to them while they were waiting in Benin for legal procedures, and eventually faciliated their safe repatriation to Thailand.
After they came back to Thailand, our legal team provided them with legal assistance, and assisted them to bring their complaints to the Thai police. As a result of ongoing investigations by the police, three suspects linked to the trafficking network behind have now been successfully apprehended.
The case has drawn media attention, reflecting the need to combat human trafficking and support survivors. We AAT are committed to continuing our assistance to these women as they rebuild their lives and to advocating for stronger protective measures against sex trafficking. 🤝🤝
💫 At AAT, we bring hope and new future possibilities to women and girls.💫
Gradually, these women and girls become the change-makers. Many demonstrate remarkable resilience, turning their past experiences into valuable skills to protect others. Here is one of their stories:
Joy (pseudonym)’s journey with AAT is one of resilience and hope. After being helped by AAT to get out of sexual exploitation in 2018, she participated in the organization’s reintegration and empowerment activities. She also found her passion for social work while volunteering with us.
Joy’s dedication and determination to help others led her to become a long-term volunteer with AAT in 2020, assisting in information collection, case reporting, and organizing training sessions for other women and girls at risk. Her unique background allows her to connect deeply with those she helps, inspiring others to reclaim their futures, just as she has done with hers. During this time, Joy’s desire to further her education also grew stronger, and AAT supported her in her pursuit.
This year, with AAT’s continuous support, Joy managed to finish her non-formal education (Grade 13). More cheerfully, Joy recently passed the entrance exam to a university in Laos, where she will study Social Work as her college major. Her story is not only one of personal triumph but also a testament to the power of change. 💪💪
“Engaging in social work makes me happy, especially when I am the one who gives help to others. Either it’s a small or big thing, I’m proud to do it.” — from Joy
Let’s celebrate Joy’s success together and further support her path to becoming a social worker, while also helping more and more girls achieve their dreams.
How you can help:
🚞 $26 Enables 1 girl living in a rural area to travel to the high school in the city for 1 month
🥗 $57 Provides 1 girl with clean food and water for 1 month
🎒 $220 Covers 1 girl’s tuition fee for 1 semester