When will human trafficking become something of the past?

Since 2013, the United Nations Organizations marked July 30 as a day to observe the World Day against Human Trafficking.

 

Reports give harrowing and relevant figures in this regard which indicate that thousands of men, women, and children annually fall into the hands of traffickers, which implies that over 40 million people are thought to be in some form of slavery worldwide. It is dolorous to note that human trafficking is used for sexual exploitation, forced labor, forced begging, forced marriage, the sale of children as child soldiers, but also to extract their organs.

 

Caritas Internationalis and Christian Organization against Trafficking (COATNET) have urged governments to intensify efforts to do more to identify victims of trafficking and clamp down on this exploitation. On the other hand, Caritas Internationalis has appealed to governments to pay more attention to the “collateral damages of the global pandemic, especially to migrants and informal workers, who are now more exposed to trafficking.”

 

It is important in this regard to remember that Saint Josephine Bakhita, who was for many years a slave, had her spirit always free and eventually that spirit prevailed. She was recently named as a patron saint for victims of human trafficking, a woman from Sudan who herself was a victim of trafficking. In 2000, Pope Francis canonized this remarkable woman.

 

Furthermore, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and the International Union of Superiors General have designated February 8 as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. This day marks the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy.

 

It is relevant to note that Caritas Bakhita House--which was opened on 30 June 2015, owned by the Diocese of Westminster and managed by Caritas--has provided accommodation to over 195 women and 16 babies from almost 50 different countries, and served as a safe house for women who have been trafficked, enslaved and exploited.

 

With slavery and human trafficking remaining a chronic problem, the Catholic Church in Jordan has been playing a key role in exposing this social problem and helping combat it at all levels. That is why the Wells of Hope was launched in 2019 in cooperation with the Union of Religious Congregations and school administrations. Prayers have been held with the second group of the Ambassadors of Hope marking the World Day against Human Trafficking, as a celebration was held marking the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita with the participation of all participating schools, which included the schools of the Rosary Sister and the Latin Patriarchate Schools.

 

Every school principal addressed the students about the scourge of human trafficking that is widespread in the world and how we must combat it, as well as the need to educate students, youth, and local communities about this scourge at the time when we must combat it. His Holiness Pope Francis  had earlier called for combating the “shameful scourge” of human trafficking, stating that it “disfigures humanity.

 

On the other hand, the Second General Assembly of the Talita Kum International Network was launched in Rome on May 18-24, 2024, with the participation of 71 countries represented by consecrated men and women, and the laity in the Fraterna Domus Monastery in Sacrofano, Rome. During the sessions, a roundtable discussion was held on the empowerment of women and survivors whereby the presentations included the sharing of relative countries’ experiences where some survivors of the phenomenon of human trafficking shared their experiences which were very impressive.

 

Pope Francis sent a message to the participants of the Assembly.  He states, "I am very grateful for what you do, both individually and all together. Human trafficking is a ‘systemic’ evil, and therefore we can and must eliminate it through a systematic, multi-level approach. Trafficking is fueled by wars and conflicts, thrives on the effects of climate change and socio-economic disparities, and takes advantage of the vulnerability of those forced to migrate, as well as the conditions of inequality in which they find themselves, especially women and girls.”

 

He adds, “Trafficking is a “business” that disrespects and disregards human dignity, delivering large profits to the unscrupulous. Trafficking is constantly evolving and always finding new ways to develop, as it did during the pandemic. Yet, we must not be discouraged.  To be truly effective against this odious criminal phenomenon, we need to be a community. This is well expressed by the theme of your assembly: Journeying Together to End Human Trafficking: Compassion in Action for Transformation.”

 

He concludes, “Talitha Kum has become a widespread global network and, at the same time, deeply rooted in the local Churches. It has become a reference point for victims, their families, those at risk and the most vulnerable communities. I encourage you to continue on this path, furthering prevention and care, and weaving together many valuable relationships that are indispensable in order to combat and defeat trafficking. Dear sisters and brothers, I join you in thanking the Lord for all the work he has enabled you to do over these years. I will read your document carefully and promote it. May Our Lady always accompany and protect you. I offer you and your communities my heartfelt blessing."

 

The conference called--among others--for empowering women, children, and youth towards more just, equitable societies; adopting effective strategies to reduce the demand for human trafficking, including through education for boys and men and advocacy for regular migration pathways; advocating for the prosecution of traffickers and for effective policy and legal changes for at-risk populations, including migrants, refugees, and displaced persons;  addressing the push and pull factors of migration and displacement, advocating for the protection and integration of people on the move; and exposing the risks of online trafficking and social media by sensitizing young people and their families and promoting cyber safety.

 

On June 24, 2024, the Union of the Religious Congregations in Jordan and the “Wells of Hope Initiative” held a celebration marking the graduation of the second batch of “Ambassadors of Hope,” under the patronage of Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan Bishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso. The graduates comprised of 40 students of the Latin Patriarchate in Marka and Jubaiha, as well as the Rosary Sisters in Al-Misdar and Jabal Amman.

 

During the celebration, Apostolic Nuncio Bishop Dal Toso praised the students and their parents for participating in this humanitarian initiative, pointing out that such initiatives that are launched in schools represent the embodiment of Catholic values, among which is caring for people in pain. He pointed out that “Wells of Hope Initiative” was born as an initiative to help victims of human trafficking and to give them hope in life. He also referred to the fact that Pope Francis had repeatedly condemned this scourge in its capacity as a violation of the sacred dignity of human beings.

 

When will slavery and human trafficking come to an end?

Human trafficking conjures images of young women being kidnapped by traffickers. Despite of the fact that it is important to give all possible support to the victims of this scourge, it is also important to focus on the actions conducted by the traffickers, and to help obviate or rather scuttle all their relevant schemes. It is exigently important to examine situations of human trafficking through the actions taken by potential traffickers, and the means by which they may have achieved those actions in order  to take the needed counter-measures.

 

Everyone has the right to a life free from slavery and every measure must be taken to preserve this right. To successfully counter this global scourge, it is essential to steps up funding to education initiatives across the globe to ensure that every girl and boy has access to life-saving quality education. Actually, education is a potential component that promotes awareness and serves as a protection mechanism against trafficking.