Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - To reflect on the situation of street women in various countries, share experiences of helping them and plan specific pastoral care in this field, about fifty representatives of Bishops’ Conferences, religious congregations, church associations and institutions from 24 different countries mainly European but also from Latin America, Asia and Africa will attend the First International Meeting for the Pastoral Care of Women on the Streets to be held in Rome 20 and 21 June organised by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant.
The main aim of the meeting is to foster co-operation and co-ordination among institutions and individuals working in front line to assure pastoral care to women in difficulty. Aspects of the problem range from the tragedy of prostitution, abuse and trafficking of women to sex tourism. Migration, family and social deficiencies, economic difficulties and prevailing pan-sexuality are at the root of the ‘phenomenon’ which involves every year one million women and children coming from developing countries and major risk situations. In Thailand alone an estimated 150,000- 200,000 women are on the streets and of these 35,000 are under 18. In Italy there are an estimated 40,000 including 4,000 minors and vary many non European girls and women. According to the International Organisation for Migration IOM as many as half a million women from Eastern Europe are forced live in situations of slavery and prostitution in Western Europe.
The meeting will open with an address by the Pontifical Council’s president Japanese born Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao who will present the subject which is part of the Council’s specific sector for the Apostleship of the Street. Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Council secretary will then illustrate the meeting’s programme and subjects for discussion and reflection.
This will be followed by a talk on "Trafficking of human beings particularly of women destined for prostitution" by Mrs Mariette Grange, representing the International Catholic Commission. Sociologist Prof. Mario Pollo will report on the results of a preparatory survey made in view of the Meeting. A round table discussion with experts on pastoral care in this field will follow. On the second day of the meeting Rev. Oreste Benzi head of the Pope John XXIII Community Association will speak on “Pastoral care for redemption and liberation”. The meeting will include reports on pastoral experience in different countries and language group discussion on “planning specific pastoral care for the liberation of street women”. The two days of reflection and discussion will close with a general debate and the drafting of ‘Recommendations and Concrete Proposals’ for specific pastoral care which is understanding and offers care and support to help women on the streets escape from abuse. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2005; Righe 36 - Parole 468)
