Women religious form global network to combat human trafficking

Published: 2007-10-22

ROME (CNS) -- Women religious from around the world have formed a global network aimed at combating human trafficking. More than 30 nuns from 26 nations launched the initiative called the "International Network of Religious Against Trafficking in Persons" during a conference on human trafficking Oct. 15-19 in Rome. The U.S. Department of State funded the conference and training seminar, which were organized by the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican and the Italian Union of Major Superiors. The International Organization for Migration helped design a program for workers to assist women forced into prostitution flee and get off the streets. Once upon a time, the notion of human trafficking "was a kind of global family secret," said Msgr. Pietro Parolin, Vatican undersecretary of state. But now, he said, thanks to public awareness campaigns, more people know about this $12 billion business, which in 2005 was built on the forced labor of at least 12 million people. However, he expressed hope that greater attention will translate into more decisive responses to the problem.

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