VF Founder declared Trafficking in Persons Hero

Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report

Action To End Modern-Day Slavery The 2008 Trafficking in Persons Report on 170 countries is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons. Its findings will raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons.

The annual Trafficking in Persons Report serves as the primary diplomatic tool through which the U.S. Government encourages partnership and increased determination in the fight against forced labor, sexual exploitation, and modern-day slavery.

Ambassador Kristie Kenney with VF Founder, Ma. Cecilia Flores-Oebanda

Philippines

Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, a longtime advocate against trafficking, and former political prisoner, continues to pave the road for NGO and government collaboration on anti-trafficking efforts in the Philippines and around the world. As the President and executive Director of the Visayan Forum Foundation, Ms. Flores-Oebanda works for the welfare of marginalized migrants. Seventeen years after she founded the organization to strengthen the rights of migrant women and children from poor areas, Ms. Flores-Oebanda manages five halfway houses and four domestic centers, and will open three new halfway houses in 2008. Since 2001, Visayan Forum has rescued and provided assistance to more than 32,000 victims and potential victims of trafficking, and has helped file 66 trafficking cases on behalf of 166 victims. Ms. Flores-Oebanda is also the recipient of Anti-Slavery International’s Anti- Slavery Award in 2005 and the Skoll Foundation Award for Social entrepreneurship in 2008.

Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, a longtime advocate against trafficking, and former political prisoner, continues to pave the road for NGO and government collaboration on anti-trafficking efforts in the Philippines and around the world. As the President and executive Director of the Visayan Forum Foundation, Ms. Flores-Oebanda works for the welfare of marginalized migrants. Seventeen years after she founded the organization to strengthen the rights of migrant women and children from poor areas, Ms. Flores-Oebanda manages five halfway houses and four domestic centers, and will open three new halfway houses in 2008. Since 2001, Visayan Forum has rescued and provided assistance to more than 32,000 victims and potential victims of trafficking, and has helped file 66 trafficking cases on behalf of 166 victims. Ms. Flores-Oebanda is also the recipient of Anti-Slavery International’s Anti- Slavery Award in 2005 and the Skoll Foundation Award for Social entrepreneurship in 2008.