On 8 February, the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking is observed — an international initiative created to raise public awareness about one of the most painful and widespread wounds of our time. On this occasion, communities, associations and faithful people from all over the world come together in a shared moment of prayer, testimony and concrete commitment to the dignity of every person.
We are pleased to announce that this year, once again, WUCWO is an official partner of the initiative, contributing to its global outreach.
The theme of the 12th edition, “Peace begins with dignity: a global call to end human trafficking,” is inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s powerful reminder that true peace is gentle and humble, born of love and sustained wherever human dignity is defended.
Inspired by the liturgical memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita — a Sudanese religious sister who, as a child, endured the traumatic experience of being kidnapped and enslaved — the Day invites everyone to join in a simple yet powerful gesture: to pray for the victims of trafficking, for those working for their liberation, and for the building of a culture that rejects every form of exploitation.
We invite you to take part, within your communities or personally, in this moment of shared solidarity and hope. Through prayer, we open our hearts; through reflection, we deepen our commitment; and through action, we bring Christ’s peace and freedom to those who need it most.
Hello, I am Mónica Santamarina President of the the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations. We are joining once more the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, a crucial global campaign to defend human dignity and raise awareness.
As we have personally witnessed through our World Women’s Observatory and through our more than 8 million members around the world, countless women, girls and children, particularly migrants, refugees and people living in zones of conflict, face increasing challenges that call for our immediate action and courage.
Firmly convinced that “peace begins with dignity”, let us rise up to affirm the rights of women, girls and every human being. Let us transform society through their resilience and faith.
This International Day reminds us that, when we walk together, our voices grow stronger, our hope shines brighter and our future becomes more just. Let’s all participate so that we may continue building together a world that is truly a home of dignity and peace for all.
