Trafficking in human beings for their exploitationi: “Walking with dignity”, a world day of reflection on the phenomenon

ROME – According to the data released by a Report of theUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crimeover 50,000 people in 148 countries are victims of forcible recruitment, transportation, transfer, with the threat or actual use of force or other forms of coercion, for the exploitation of prostitution, sexual abuse, forced labor or services , slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or organ harvesting. The ninth World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking is held on 8 February 2023. The theme of this edition, chosen by an international group of young people involved in the fight against trafficking, is “Walk for Dignity”. The steps, the journey, the shared road between those who are committed to defeating trafficking and those who are victims or survivors. All of this is at the heart of this Day which sees thousands of people all over the world – in many parishes, communities, groups – come together, reflect, pray and launch a message to the world against this global phenomenon.

A week of initiatives. This year, for the first time since its establishment – which took place in 2015 at the behest of Pope Francis – 15 young representatives of the Day’s network will arrive in Rome from all continents for a week of meetings and training on trafficking in human beings. At the end of the week, the group will launch an appeal which will start the preparation process for the tenth anniversary of the Day. The week opens on Monday 6 February with an ecumenical vigil in English and Italian at 7.15 pm in the Parish of Santa Lucia, in the Prati district of Rome, an area of ​​the capital where three women in prostitution were brutally killed last November, the Catholic community will join the multifaith community.

The pilgrimage. The central moment of the week will be today’s online pilgrimage of prayer and reflection, Wednesday 8 February, the feast of Saint Bakhita, the universal symbol of the Church’s commitment against trafficking. The pilgrimage starts at 9.30 am cet time and, crossing the different time zones, will involve all the recipients. It starts from Oceania, then arrives in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, South America, and closes at 16.30 cet time in North America. The event will be streamed live in 5 languages ​​(English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian) on www.prayagainsttrafficking.net

The central block. It is entrusted to young people committed against trafficking and, as has happened in recent years, there will be a message from Pope Francis. The participants in the online pilgrimage are the expression of over 30 countries from all continents. They will be young and old, women and men, secular and religious, survivors, activists, creatives. All united against trafficking.

The flash-mob of Friday 10 February in St. Peter’s square. Friday 10 at 15.30 in via della Conciliazione the dance group “Evolution Company of the Holy Dance” and the group of young international representatives will give life to a flash-mob against trafficking. The week ends on Sunday 12 February with participation in the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square. The initiative is coordinated by Talitha Kum, the international anti-trafficking network which has more than 3,000 nuns, friends and partners, and is promoted by the Unions of Superiors and Superiors General, in partnership with various Dicasteries, and other religious bodies.

This year’s theme. “This year’s theme is “Walking for dignity” and was chosen by a group of young people from all over the world with the intention of inviting people of good will to walk alongside the victims and survivors of trafficking, in particular of migrant populations, as pilgrims of human dignity and hope. Young people, adults and children, people of different religious traditions, cultures and generations. Only together, as a community, can we put an end to this scourge of trafficking. Safeguarding the dignity of every person is only possible if we know how to safeguard peace and the natural environment.” said Sister Abby Avelino, MM, coordinator of the day.