Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - The global network Talitha Kum, — which gathers more than 3,000 Catholic sisters and collaborators, launches the #CareAgainstTrafficking campaign in view of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons which will be celebrated on July 30. Founded in 2009 by UISG (International Union of Superiors General), Talitha Kum International coordinates 50 networks in more than 90 countries. As the note sent to Agenzia Fides recalls, in 2020 Talitha Kum networks around the world took care of 17,000 people who survived trafficking, offering safe homes, education and job opportunities, support to access justice and compensation, and health and psychosocial assistance. In the same period, nearly 170,000 people benefited from the prevention and awareness activities organized by Talitha Kum.
The Care Against Trafficking campaign aims to show that care can make a difference at every stage of the journey in the fight against trafficking: care for those who are at risk, care for the victims and for the survivors. From their experience in the field, the sisters know that long-term approaches focused on care can reduce the risk of survivors being trafficked and exploited again. However, these approaches require institutional participation that the sisters alone cannot guarantee.
Sister Gabriella Bottani, CMS, international coordinator of Talitha Kum, says: "We ask all people of goodwill to unite together to tackle the systemic causes of this phenomenon, and governments to sustain the survivors long-term, guaranteeing them education, formation, justice and compensation and medical and psychological assistance".
Fuelled by the strength of spirituality, the Sisters of Talitha Kum have helped tens of thousands of people who escaped violence find a path to rebuild lives, dignity and freedom. Sister Patricia Murray, IBVM, executive secretary of the UISG, says: "Talitha Kum is committed not only to supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities around the world, but also to dismantle the structures that allow oppression and exploitation". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 24/07/2021)
AFRICA/ZAMBIA - On the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita: Sisters of the “Talitha Kum” project celebrate World Day Against Human Trafficking
AMERICA/BRAZIL - The work of the Church to combat human trafficking must be integrated by a government program
AMERICA/COLOMBIA - The "District of Mercy": proclamation of the Gospel and promotion of human dignity in the center of the capital
AMERICA/BRAZIL - Seven Ad Gentes missionaries sent out as a “handful of leaven”