The feminist praxis of Talitha Kum Southeast Asia: Combatting trafficking in persons to realising human dignity

The paper aims to interrogate the faith and praxis of women religious of Talitha Kum Southeast Asia which is a global network of consecrated women dedicated to combatting trafficking in persons (TIP). Through feminist theoretical and theological frameworks which includes a Christian feminist ethics standpoint, this chapter offers a textual analysis of media texts (comprising Talitha Kum SEA’s website and e-news bulletins, news reports, relevant resources on TIP in the region and globally, in particular, the 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report by the U.S. Department of State as an overarching global framework for TIP’ state-driven initiatives). I aim to critically analyse the extent to which the vision, mission, motivations, goals and strategies of these women religious offers a more holistic – as not only a rights-based (feminist) but also faith-based activism – hence effective strategy in empowering girls and boys, women and men who are trafficked. The chapter is structured as follows: a description of Talitha Kum SEA – who they are, what they do and why they do what they do; followed by an analytical appraisal of the faith and praxis of Talitha Kum through feminist, theological and anti-trafficking discourses (as impacted by religious influences such as Christianity, Islam and Buddhism that are prevalent in Southeast Asia).