African Church voices alarm at scale of human trafficking

An estimated 6.04 million people are living in modern slavery in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 12 per cent of the global enslaved population.

Church leaders across Africa voiced alarm at the scale of human trafficking across the continent on the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking on 8 February

Members of the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) led a campaign to mark the day – which is feast day of St Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese slave canonised in 2000 – with Masses, community meetings and education efforts.

The campaign’s coordinator Sr Leonida Katunge, PACTPAN’S director of programmes, told The Tablet that “human trafficking remains a significant issue across Africa, affecting millions of individuals through various forms of exploitation”.

According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, an estimated 6.04 million people are living in modern slavery in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 12 per cent of the global enslaved population. Across the entire continent, there are approximately seven million enslaved individuals, representing 14 per cent of the total.

She said the phenomenon was driven by a range of factors, including poverty, bad governance, unemployment and ignorance.

Katuge said children were particularly vulnerable, particularly in West Africa where estimates suggest that over 75 per cent of detected trafficking victims are children.

“Despite efforts by governments and international organisations to combat human trafficking, challenges persist due to factors like poverty, conflict, weak law enforcement, and corruption,” she said, challenging African governments to take a leading role in addressing the scourge.

“Continued collaboration and comprehensive strategies are essential to address and mitigate the scale of human trafficking in Africa.”

The Vatican and Caritas International also promoted awareness of modern slavery. Pope Francis urged Catholics and all people of goodwill to do their part to combat the exploitation of vulnerable people.

On 6 February, at an “Appeal for Hope and Healing” event in Rome, the actress Whoopi Goldberg – an ambassador for Talitha Kum – praised religious sisters on the frontline of anti-trafficking work.

In a video message she highlighted how human trafficking affects over 30 million people worldwide, 12 million of whom are children. “All of this is outrageous,” she said. “The sisters oppose this and are an extraordinary source of strength.”

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