12th June 2023 – On the occasion of the International Day against Child Labor and in view of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, Talitha Kum, the global umbrella network of sisters, allies, and partners established in 2009 with the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), released today its annual activities report, available online here. 

Rich in data, stories, testimonies, and critical analyses, it details the last year of Talitha Kum's activity and is proposed as a working tool for all people committed against trafficking.

The report in 2022 shows phenomenal growth, qualitatively and quantitatively, in the areas of prevention, care for victims, access to justice, and networking. Talitha Kum has grown into a network of networks that reaches 560,606 people worldwide. This is an increase of 40% compared to 2021. Of these 560,606 people reached, 34,463 were victims or survivors, 442,276 benefited from prevention actions, and 83,867 were involved in networking, training, and capacity-building activities. Although there has been a great growth in activities, there has been a slight decrease in active members and collaborators 5445 (about 554 units - 9% less).

Another highlight of Talitha Kum is its strong collaboration with other religions or inter-faith-based groups, which is marked by its 31% growth in 2022, at the local, regional, and international levels, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

As an international initiative against human trafficking and exploitation, Talitha Kum promotes collaboration among networks organized at national, regional, and continental levels, actively supporting victims, survivors, and people at risk. The report reflects this multilevel structure and collects the contribution of all coordinations and members of the network.

 “The past year has been one of the most challenging due to many interrelated crises such as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts in many countries, like in e.g. Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Syria, Burkina Faso, Venezuela, the war in Ukraine which has caused distress for millions of people, and devastating natural disasters as consequences of climate change. All of these crises are having a direct impact on human trafficking worldwide. Furthermore, as we reflect upon the challenges of leadership transition and the complexity of the times we live in, we see that the Talitha Kum network remains committed to its mission, journeying with one another in caring for persons wounded by exploitation, and acting against trafficking of human beings. In spite of the challenges we have witnessed, members continue to respond to the Call to Action by caring, healing, empowering, and being involved with the lives of victims and survivors, and populations that are at risk of trafficking and exploitation,“ declares Sister Abby Avelino, MM, International Coordinator of Talitha Kum.

“Talitha Kum’s tireless and prophetic efforts to raise awareness and combat human trafficking, in synergy and collaboration with thousands around the world, make its mission meaningful and responsive to the challenges of every time and every reality. Fighting human exploitation and eradicating all forms of slavery is a call that is becoming increasingly necessary. The Call to Action, drafted and launched last year, is vibrant and inspiring and continues to provide an in-depth perspective when creating new proposals to promote a more just and supportive world in which every person can live with dignity,” declares Sister Nadia Coppa, ASC, President of the UISG.

This year, the data analysis was supported by Prof. Giulio Guarini, Associate Professor in Economics, University of Tuscia (Viterbo, Italy); Prof. Ilaria De Benedetti, tenure track in Economic Statistics, University of Tuscia (Viterbo, Italy); Silvia Di Risio, a student in Master Degree “Economics and Communication for Management and Innovation” - Sapienza University of Rome & University of Tuscia (Viterbo, Italy).

The report was produced by Talitha Kum in partnership with Global Solidarity Fund.

Read the Talitha Kum Anual Report 2022. 

June 12, 2023