Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lome (Agenzia Fides) - Trafficking and exploitation of girls and young women in Togo is particularly widespread, called portefaix. To help these poor victims the Spanish Catholic NGO Manos Unidas, through the Carmelite Sisters of Charity of Vedruna, CCV, has promoted a project where 500 portefaix will benefit: young women forced to work the whole day in the market in Hanoukope, in the north of Lome. They have no chance to play, learn, be heard, educated. Many of them come from within the country and continue their journey towards Gabon, where, however, they end up being exploited. To try to help the whole population of the area, including children and young people, the Sisters have opened a shelter and a health diary in the center of the market in Hanoukope where training and support can be offered in order to reintegrate the population in society. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 18/04/2013)
