February 8, 2024 will mark the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking. On this day, the Church and the international community are called upon to join together in denouncing this scourge, which violates human dignity and deprives millions of people of their freedom.
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that affects a wide range of victims – women, men and children – exploited for forced labor, prostitution or organ harvesting. It is a lucrative crime on a global scale, generating nearly $150 billion in annual profits for traffickers.
The causes are multiple and systemic: inequalities between men and women, economic disparities, restrictive migration policies, and so on. These situations of vulnerability are cynically exploited by criminal networks who promise better opportunities to the victims.
Faced with this scourge, the international community has mobilized to better identify, protect and support victims. But much remains to be done to get to the root of the problem and dismantle the networks.
It is in this spirit that the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom, like many other Catholic organizations, is resolutely committed to the fight against human trafficking. Our sisters around the world work tirelessly to welcome, listen to and accompany victims, while carrying out prevention and awareness-raising activities.
On this World Day, we are all called upon to mobilize. Whether through prayer, sharing information or concrete commitment, each of us can become an ambassador of hope to help put an end to this modern-day slavery.
Together, let us be the voice of those who have none, and take action so that all can live in dignity.
To this end, Pope Francis invites us to join our voices in prayer.
