The Feast Day of St. Bakhita has reinvigorated efforts against human trafficking in over 30 African countries. Sister Katunge highlights links between the anti-trafficking campaign and the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, aiming to combat modern slavery through education, campaigns, and community support. PACTPAN plans a variety of activities to sustain momentum and awareness.
The Feast Day of St. Bakhita has reinvigorated efforts to combat human trafficking across over 30 African nations. Sister Katunge, who leads the national steering committee for Kenyan participants, highlighted that the campaign aligns with the theme of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope.” By focusing on the Gospel of Luke’s message of liberation, the campaign aims to address modern slavery and foster healing within communities.
Sister Katunge emphasized the alarming increase in human trafficking in Africa, citing forced labor, sexual exploitation, child trafficking, and organ harvesting as escalating issues. In her documentary, released in May 2024, she documented cases of West African women trafficked to Europe and the Middle East, as well as children exploited in conflict zones. These narratives expose the criminal networks perpetuating these heinous acts.
The PACTPAN campaign is set to host marches against human trafficking, uniting churches, NGOs, and governmental agencies. It will incorporate a structured itinerary with messages of hope and moments of silence for the victims, but stresses that collaboration on logistics is vital for the event’s smooth execution. Sister Katunge mentions that participation by a Vice President lends significant authority to the campaign’s visibility and underscores a commitment to tackle trafficking at higher political levels.
Various initiatives are scheduled alongside the Jubilee Year to promote awareness against human trafficking. Sister Katunge indicated that the campaign would extend to 2030, observing the UN Day for Trafficked Persons annually on July 30. Educational workshops will also be implemented to help communities recognize trafficking networks. Additionally, funds will be raised for survivors through cultural festivals that aim to inspire hope.
Plans include creating a resource center for young girls to learn valuable skills, thus empowering them to resist traffickers. Sister Katunge advocates for collaborating with state entities to provide sustainable employment and training opportunities to reduce trafficking risks. By enhancing local economic prospects, communities can better support their youth and deter trafficking.
The article addresses the urgent issue of human trafficking in Africa, coinciding with the Feast Day of St. Bakhita, a symbol against slavery. The PACTPAN initiative, influenced by the Catholic Church’s upcoming Jubilee Year, seeks to gather leaders and activists in a concerted effort to combat modern slavery. Sister Katunge plays a pivotal role in this movement, drawing attention to both the growing crisis and the responsive actions being organized to combat it.
In summary, the Feast Day of St. Bakhita catalyzes a renewed commitment toward fighting human trafficking in more than 30 African countries. Through campaigns like PACTPAN, there is a strong focus on raising awareness, implementing educational programs, and providing victims and at-risk populations with necessary resources. This effort, framed within the larger context of the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, aims to bring hope and change to affected communities.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
