Bangkok: Sr. Marie-Agnes Suwanna Buasap, a Thai religious sister from the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, has received national recognition for her innovative grassroots initiatives aimed at combatting human trafficking in Thailand’s remote and high-risk northern regions. The honor was presented by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security during a formal ceremony in Bangkok on National Anti-Human Trafficking Day.
Sr. Marie-Agnes was praised for her “courageous, creative, and sustained” work, particularly her outreach to vulnerable women and children living along border areas where trafficking networks are often active. Her efforts were acknowledged alongside other notable groups, including Stella Maris, the seafarers’ ministry of the Chanthaburi Diocese, which works to identify and support trafficked fishermen through maritime rescue partnerships and government collaboration.
In an interview with LiCAS News, Sr. Marie-Agnes reflected on the mission of the Church in the context of the Catholic Jubilee Year 2025. “This Jubilee Year, we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope,” she said. “Hope means reaching out—bringing not just words, but concrete help to those who are often unseen, especially young women vulnerable to exploitation.” She emphasized that real transformation happens only through trust, which requires consistent presence and engagement at the grassroots level.
Her anti-trafficking strategy centers on long-term empowerment through education and community leadership. She has led the training of over 3,100 teachers in 35 schools to implement anti-trafficking curricula, reaching more than 60,000 students. In addition, youth-led awareness programs have been launched in border towns, and Talitha Kum Kids networks—named after Jesus’ words “Maiden, I say to you, arise”—have been introduced in schools to foster advocacy from a young age.
Sr. Marie-Agnes also supports economic initiatives for at-risk women. In three northern villages, livelihood projects have helped women generate income through the production of chili-based products. Additionally, 40 volunteers trained under the Talitha Kum movement now lead awareness and skills-development workshops for hundreds of women, focusing on resilience, rights education, and community defense against trafficking networks.
The Talitha Kum movement, founded in 2009 by the International Union of Superiors General, is a global network of women religious dedicated to fighting human trafficking. Active in more than 90 countries, it represents a powerful faith-based response to one of the world’s most pressing human rights violations. Sr. Marie-Agnes credits her success to this collaborative spirit. “This mission is never done alone,” she said. “It is rooted in shared faith, collective effort, and compassion.”
Her recognition comes at a time when global efforts to combat trafficking are faltering. According to the United Nations, 2020 saw an 11% drop in the detection of trafficking crimes and a 27% decline in convictions, with the most significant setbacks occurring in developing nations. In this discouraging climate, Sr. Marie-Agnes’s national honor stands out as a sign of hope—and a testament to what determined, faith-driven action can achieve.
“Being present, being human, and being faithful—that is what breaks the chain of exploitation,” she said. “The work is ongoing, but with each life protected, we move one step closer to justice.”