Sr. Abby Avelino – International Coordinator of the Talitha Kum network
Peace begins with dignity, and dignity exists when every person is protected, respected, and loved. Human trafficking is one of the most serious and tragic violations of human dignity.
For this reason, the theme of this year’s International Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking: “Peace begins with dignity: a global call to end human trafficking” recalls the story of Rahil, a young woman from Darfur. When war broke out in Sudan, her family was forced to flee their home, leaving everything behind. Rahil was separated from her mother. Night after night, both mother and daughter lived in the same fear; what dangers she might face alone and whether she would get lost in the desert or fall into the hands of human traffickers.
However, love did not give up. After a long journey from one country to another, thanks to the support of the religious sisters and our partners, Rahil found safety, protection from traffickers, compassionate care, and new hope. Finally, after years of separation, mother and daughter met again. Their embrace became a moment of peace – a powerful reminder that dignity can be restored, even after great suffering.
Rahil’s story reminds us of St. Josephine Bakhita, whose feast we celebrate every year on February 8 – the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking. Abducted and sold into slavery as a child, Bakhita transformed her suffering into freedom and faith. To this day, she inspires the Church’s commitment to protecting human dignity and accompanying those whose voices are too often ignored.
Human trafficking remains a painful reality in our world. It violates human dignity and disrupts the peace of our societies, especially in a world marked by conflicts, wars, and forced migrations. Women and girls continue to bear the greatest consequences of this phenomenon. Global data shows that the number of detected cases of human trafficking has significantly increased in recent years – by 25 percent. Poverty, conflicts, climate crises, and unsafe migrations make many people particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Women and girls now account for approximately 61 percent of identified victims worldwide; many of them are exploited for forced labor or involved in online criminal activities.
By placing peace and dignity at the center, we – the network promoting this event – call on all people of good will to move beyond mere awareness of the problem and take action. From February 4 to 8, the 12th International Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking brought together communities in Rome and around the world with Pope Francis. Prayer, testimonies from human trafficking survivors, youth-led initiatives, and advocacy actions remind us that peace is a choice and a work that we build together. Peace begins within each of us and grows when we create it together.
This day is important because it reminds us that peace is the responsibility of all of us. Each of us is called to become an Ambassador of Peace – not through extraordinary deeds, but through daily choices: to choose compassion over indifference, truth over silence, action over convenience. When we protect dignity, we sow the seeds of peace.
