Trafficking in persons refers to the recruitment, transportation, transfer or harboring, or receipt of persons with or without the victim’s consent or knowledge, within or across national borders by means of threat or use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of position, taking advantage of the vulnerability of the person, or, the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation which includes at a minimum, the exploitation or the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery, servitude or the removal or sale of organs.
The Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines organized a Seminar-Workshop on Countertrafficking for Religious Women last February 19-22, 2009 at Supreme Hotel, Baguio City. This Seminar was one of a series taking place since 2007 in the Philippines through AMRSP spearheaded by Sr. Estrella M. Castalone, FMA, AMRSP Executive Secretary.
Thirty six (36) Religious Sisters coming from 16 Congregations participated in the Seminar discussing the reality of Trafficking, its causes and processes, profile of both the trafficked and the trafficker, and responses to trafficking. Sr. Ma. Victoria P. Sta. Ana, FMA served as the main resource speaker who rendered a very comprehensive view of the global and Philippine scenario. With her expertise on this considered Human Slavery of the 21st century, she guided the group in understanding the intricacies of this issue through lecture, group discussions, case analysis, and open forum. Legislations addressing the phenomenon of Trafficking were also taken as well as Networking as a strategy to combat this reality. Towards the last part of the Seminar, concrete plans at the Congregational level and as a Network among the group was given ample time to really work for this cause.
Everyone has committed to COUNTERTRAFFICKING. Yes, it is indeed a very difficult task yet it is an urgent CALL for us Religious to do something to protect our children and women who are most vulnerable. As Sr. Estrella challenged the participants, “Let us be moved to ACTION! Let us be prophets and advocates of HOPE! Consecrated life, by its very nature, ought not to be centered in itself but focused upon its commitment at the service of the most vulnerable after the example of Jesus.”
- Sr. Aleth Evangelista, FMA
