Launch of New Call to Action Against Human Trafficking on INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 

In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8 and during this Jubilee Year, the Ambassadors of Hope from the global network advocating for the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking are launching a new Call to Action to combat the global crisis of human trafficking.

"We have chosen this significant day to launch our commitment to combat human trafficking, driven by the alarming fact that “70% of the victims of trafficking are women and girls,” according to United Nations data. We therefore stand in solidarity with the global #AccelerateAction campaign for Women's Day, focusing on the theme of the year to spotlight this global issue that requires collective and immediate action. Through this Call to Action, we renew our commitment together with young ambassadors against trafficking by amplifying the voices that matter most—the voices of victims, survivors, migrants and refugees, and young people— who are at the forefront in the fight against this crime and all forms of discrimination and injustice," said Sister Abby Avelino, coordinator of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking and the sister-led Talitha Kum International anti-trafficking network.

The Call to Action was drafted by an international group of young advocates, survivors, and experts on February 8, at the conclusion of the 11th edition of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, an initiative established by Pope Francis in 2015.

This appeal of commitment invites young people worldwide and encouraging them to join the campaign calls on governments, institutions, and individuals of all faiths and backgrounds to take action in the fight against human trafficking. It encourages all people of goodwill to unite and make a tangible impact in ending this heinous crime.

The Call to Action follows below.

CONTACT FOR THE PRESS
Alessandra Tarquini - +39 347 9117177 feb8@talithakum.info  www.prayagainsttrafficking.net | www.preghieracontrotratta.org

CALL TO ACTION FROM AND TO AMBASSADORS OF HOPE AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

February 8, 2025

We are a group of young people from different continents, committed to ending human trafficking, representing the partner organizations of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking (IDPAAHT). We gathered in Rome from the 1st to the 8th of February 2025 to continue journeying together, as Ambassadors of Hope, following the invitation to the XI International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking (IDPAAHT). During the week we learned from one another and shared best practices to enhance our strategies and contextual work in light of the reality of human trafficking in our respective contexts.

“Human trafficking is the process by which people are coerced or lured by false prospects, recruited, relocated, and forced to work and live in exploitative or abusive conditions.” Human Trafficking is a form of slavery, that is often invisible in our society. People in situations of vulnerability are at great risk of being trafficked. Human trafficking strips people of their dignity and autonomy, inalienable rights, whereas they are deceived and commodified.

We encounter and challenge strongly the continued systemic normalization and reproduction with lack of awareness and impunity for this crime against humanity on a global level. For this reason, we continue and reinforce our commitment within the international network of the IDPAAHT, to the fight against this crime, specifically by raising awareness, centering those vulnerable who are the main targets of traffickers across the world. 

Together, building on the encounter with experts, women with lived experience and along with the blessing from Pope Francis for our work, we amplify and strengthen our commitment to:

• Pray and care for those affected by human trafficking and those accompanying them;

• Develop and Implement strategies for the rehabilitation, reintegration, inclusion, and long-term healing of survivors, wounded healers and individuals affected by human trafficking, informed by their lived experiences;

• Educate ourselves and others about the root causes, methods and consequences of human trafficking, by promoting creative and holistic approaches, such as utilizing media platforms;

• Collaborate by creating physical and digital spaces to share information, practices, provide updates, and connect stakeholders for ongoing support.

We call young people around the world to continue being Ambassadors of Hope, educating, advocating and standing in solidarity with survivors. Walk and continue to journey - together with us - for Hope, in this 2025 Jubilee year. We call all people of good will, partners and other organizations to support our commitment in guarding the light of human dignity.

The text in 4 languages (English, Italian, French, Spanish) is available at www.prayagainsttrafficking.net

THE NETWORK 

The International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking is coordinated by Talitha Kum International, promoted by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG), in collaboration with Partner Organisations:  tThe Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for Communication, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, Caritas Internationalis, CoatNet, the Focolare Movement, the Jesuit Refugee Service, the International Union of Catholic Women's Associations (WUCWO), JPIC- Anti-Trafficking Working Group (UISG/USG), The Clewer Initiative, the Community Association Pope John XXIII, the International Federation of Catholic Action, the Italian Catholic Guides and Scouts Association (AGESCI), the Santa Marta Group, Sant'Egidio, USMI and many other organizations worldwide.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER AND AWARENESS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

The International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking was established by Pope Francis in 2015 to raise global awareness of the realities of human trafficking and promote collective action. This initiative is promoted by the UISG and USG, and entrusted the coordination to Talitha Kum International, a sister-led network committed to combating human trafficking worldwide.

Ambassadors of hope: together against human trafficking - message from Pope Francis

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

It is with joy that I join you on the 11th International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. This event falls on the liturgical commemoration of St Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese woman and nun, who was a victim of trafficking as a child and has become a symbol of our commitment against this terrible phenomenon. In this jubilee year, let us also walk together, as 'pilgrims of hope', on the road against trafficking.

But how is it possible to continue to nourish hope in front of the millions of people, especially women and children, young people, migrants and refugees, trapped in this modern slavery? Where do we get new impetus to combat the trade in human organs and tissues, the sexual exploitation of children and girls, forced labour, including prostitution, drug and arms trafficking? How do we experience all this in the world and not lose hope? It is only by lifting our eyes to Christ, our hope, that we can find the strength for a renewed commitment that does not allow itself to be overcome by the dimension of problems and dramas, but in the darkness strives to light flames of light, which together can illuminate the night until the dawn breaks.

The young people around the world who are fighting against trafficking offer us an example: they tell us that we must become ambassadors of hope and act together, with tenacity and love; that we must stand by the victims and survivors. With the help of God, we can avoid becoming accustomed to injustice and ward off the temptation to think that certain phenomena cannot be eradicated. The Spirit of the Risen Lord sustains us in promoting, with courage and effectiveness, targeted initiatives to weaken and oppose the economic and criminal mechanisms that profit from trafficking and exploitation. He teaches us first of all to listen, with closeness and compassion, to the people who have experienced trafficking, to help them get back on their feet and together with them to identify the best ways to free others and to do prevention. Trafficking is a complex, constantly evolving phenomenon, and is fuelled by wars, conflicts, famine and the consequences of climate change. It therefore requires global responses and a common effort, at all levels, to tackle it.

I therefore invite all of you, especially representatives of governments and organisations that share this commitment, to join us, animated by prayer, to promote initiatives in defence of human dignity, for the elimination of human trafficking in all its forms and for the promotion of peace in the world. Together - trusting in the intercession of St Bakhita - we can make a great effort and create the conditions for trafficking and exploitation to be banned and for respect for fundamental human rights to prevail, in fraternal recognition of common humanity. Sisters and brothers, I thank you for your courage and tenacity in carrying out this work, involving so many people of good will. Go forth with hope in the Lord, who walks with you! I bless you from my heart. I pray for you, and you pray for me.

Vatican, February 4, 2025 FRANCIS

Greeting of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Delegation of Organizers of the World Day of Prayer
and Awareness against Human Trafficking

7 February 2025

Dear sisters and brothers,
I am pleased to meet you and to join you in your daily commitment to put an end to human trafficking. In particular, I thank Talitha Kum for your service. Thank you! We are meeting on the eve of the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita, who was a victim of this terrible social scourge. Her story gives us strength and shows us that with the Lord’s grace, it is possible for those who suffered injustice and violence to shatter their chains, to go free and to become messengers of hope to others in difficult situations.
Human trafficking is a global phenomenon that claims millions of victims and continues unabated. It continually finds new ways to infiltrate our societies the world over.

In the face of this tragedy, we must not remain indifferent. Like yourselves, we need to unite our forces and our voices, calling upon everyone to accept responsibility for combating this form of crime that profits from the most vulnerable.
We must not tolerate the shameful exploitation of so many of our sisters and brothers. Trafficking in human bodies, the sexual exploitation even of small children and forced labour are a disgrace and a very serious violation of fundamental human rights.

I know that you are an international group, and some of you have travelled very far for this week of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. Thank you! In a special way, I would express my appreciation to the youth ambassadors, who with creativity and
vitality continue to find new ways of raising awareness of, and providing information about, the evil of human trafficking.

I encourage all organizations and individuals in this network to continue to work together, making victims and survivors your primary concern, listening to their stories, caring for their wounds and enabling them to make their voices heard in society at large.
That is what it means to be ambassadors of hope, and it is my hope that during this Jubilee Year many others will follow your example.

I bless you and accompany you in my prayers. And I ask you, please, to pray for me. Thank you!