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.
Catholic Leaders Call for Urgent Action on Environment
By Doris Sialusunga, CNCS Catholic Leaders and Religious Congregations have called for urgent action to protect the environment during the Season of Creation, warning that climate change, pollution and deforestation are threatening food security and livelihoods in Zambia. They made the call during a reflection meeting on “The Earth Our Common Home” at Luwisha House in Lusaka, where clergy, religious Sisters and lay leaders discussed the impact of climate change on communities. Fr. Daniel Mwamba Mutale, Executive Director of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), said environmental degradation is directly linked to hunger in rural areas. “Our data shows food production has been declining due to droughts, floods and mining pollution. Creation must be cared for if it is to take care of us,” he said. The Season of Creation, observed from September 1 to October 4, unites Christians worldwide in prayer and action for the environment. Fr. Mutale added that the Encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum remain prophetic calls for Catholics to safeguard creation. And Sr. Kayula Lesa, Coordinator of the Justice Coalition of Religious (JECO), said the network of 23 NGOs is training congregations in environmental justice and has planted more than 1,000 fruit trees in schools and parishes. “We must equip communities to care for our common home,” she said. Sr. Bertha Chisanga, a representative from Zambia Association of Sisterhoods (ZAS), emphasised that the Association is also incorporating environmental education into its Bakhita Project, which supports vulnerable girls. “It is vital to sensitise our nation so that future generations can inherit a cleaner, greener Zambia,” she said. Meanwhile, Sr. Patience Shinombo of Takuza warned that environmental destruction fuels poverty and displacement, which increase the risk of human trafficking. “Food security means people are less vulnerable to exploitation,” she said. And Gilbert Mwiinga, Head of the Diocesan Health Department in the Archdiocese of Lusaka, raised concern over charcoal burning and deforestation in rural areas. “If we are not careful, the forests will be depleted. But when the Church speaks with one voice, people listen,” Mr. Mwiinga said. Faith leaders stressed that caring for creation is both a moral duty and a practical response to Zambia’s growing environmental crisis.
Zambia Commemorates World Day Against Trafficking, Unveils National Action Plan
By Doris Sialusunga, CNCS TAKUZA, the national faith-based network of Catholic Sisters working to end human trafficking in Zambia, joined the world in commemorating the 2025 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. During the event held in Lusaka, the government also launched the 2025–2027 National Action Plan on Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants. Speaking on behalf of Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo, Director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Department, Boris Mulengu called for coordinated action and said that human trafficking was not only a serious violation of human rights but also undermined the rule of law, promoted corruption and posed a threat to national security. Mr. Mulengu disclosed that Zambia recorded 41 cases in 2024 involving 194 victims and 46 suspects. “The country remains a source, transit, and destination for victims of human trafficking. The government is alive, raising trends in internal trafficking, where individuals are lured from rural to urban areas under the false promises of employment, education, or marriage, only to be exploited in forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation,” he said. Mr. Mulengu urged all stakeholders to partner with the government and employers to demonstrate zero tolerance for labor exploitation. “Let us remember behind every statistic is a human life. A young girl sold into servitude, a teenage boy forced into illegal mining, a mother trafficked for labor abroad. These are not just numbers,” he added. Meanwhile, Sr. Mary Milimo highlighted the need for collective effort and said that human trafficking was real and taking place in local communities. “Most people do not know anything about human trafficking, something they think is just a story. They do not know that it is really happening. So, we need to engage more people and everyone must take an active part in raising awareness against human trafficking because this is work that cannot be done alone,” she said. Owen Chibambo, Programs Officer for Migration at TAKUZA, stressed the importance of public awareness as most people do not even believe human trafficking is real. ‘’Most people think it is for other countries. That is why the awareness campaigns are critical,”Mr. Chibambo said. And TAKUZA Youth Ambassador Duza Jones urged young people to speak out against exploitation and said they could not afford to keep quiet as they were the most targeted group, especially through social media and fake job offers. “We must use our talents such as music, poetry, drama and media to speak out against exploitation,” Mr. Jones said. The event included participation from Save the Children Zambia, the United Nations and other stakeholders.