Three Catholic Sisters Honoured for Anti-Trafficking Work at SATA Awards
By Doris Sialusunga Three Religious Sisters receive awards at the Third Annual Sisters Anti-Trafficking (SATA) Awards, held under the theme “Faith and Leadership United, Together to End Violence” at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka. The Sisters honoured at the awards were Sr. Benjamine Nanga Kimala, SMC (Comboni Missionary Sisters) of Chad, awarded the Common Good Award, Sr. Margaret Ng, RSJ (Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart) of Australia, awarded the Servant Leadership Award and Sr. Martha Pelloni, CMT (Carmelitas Misioneras Teresianas) of Argentina, absent, recognised with the Human Dignity Award. Cardinal Stephen Brislin said the awards celebrate Sisters who serve on the frontlines of the struggle against human trafficking and whose courage brings light where darkness seems overwhelming. “The Sisters advocate tirelessly, accompany gently and rebuild patiently. Their lives preach the gospel with extraordinary clarity,” he said. Cardinal Brislin explained that the Sisters’ compassion restores hope where it has been violently taken away and their presence offers safety, healing and dignity to survivors of unimaginable suffering. “We celebrate their unwavering spirit and their extraordinary contribution to ending modern-day slavery,” he added. Cardinal Brislin said this year’s theme calls people not only to believe but to act, defend dignity and become instruments of change. He added that human trafficking is one of the gravest violations of human dignity in our time. “It reduces God’s children to objects, strips people of freedom, dignity and hope, destroys families and inflicts wounds that can last a lifetime,” he said. “As people of faith, we cannot remain silent.” Cardinal Brislin has called for stronger national and regional cooperation, survivor-centred protection systems and greater community awareness. “We must expand economic opportunities for those at risk and ensure that Catholic Sisters who form the backbone of anti-trafficking work receive the recognition, resources and protection they need,” he said. And Sr. Jane Wakahiu, Associate Vice President of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, said the SATA Awards recognise the extraordinary courage and leadership of Sisters working on the front lines of human trafficking. “Sisters receiving awards today offer hope, restore human dignity and provide interventions for those who suffer,” she said. Sr. Jane said the event is an opportunity to honour their mission and strengthen collective resolve to build a world free from exploitation and violence. Meanwhile, Zambia Association of Sisterhood (ZAS) Chairperson Sr. Valeria Kabaso thanked the awardees for their dedication and compassion, describing them as beacons of hope in the fight against human trafficking. “You remind us of the transformative power of faith and leadership in action,” she said. She also thanked partners including the Hilton Foundation, the Union of Superior Generals and Arise Foundation for supporting the Sisters’ work. “As we celebrate tonight, let us remind ourselves that the struggle against human trafficking does not end here,” she said. “We must continue to raise awareness, advocate for policy reform, support survivors and strengthen community-based prevention efforts.” Sr. Valeria explained that only through coordinated efforts and solidarity can communities be built where every person is safe, valued and free from exploitation.