From Sr Pascaline Katungu of the Cathédral, Ouagadou, community
For a Lasting Peace : The role of women in restoring human dignity
On 8 February, we commemorate Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of the Talitha Kum network, ‘Young Girl, Arise’. It is a Day of Prayer and Reflection against human trafficking. We have included in our prayers the men, women and children who are victims of modern slavery, of all kinds of abuse and exploitation, and who are treated as tools for labour or pleasure and are often tortured and mutilated. This is an active network in Burkina Faso. It brings together all those concerned to be the voice of those whose dignity has been trampled upon.
Our cathedral community is part of this network and is represented by Sister Pascaline (in the photo), who works actively within it alongside other lay and consecrated persons. Since July 2025, we have had the joy of running a transit center for survivors of trafficking in Burkina Faso. To date, more than 40 young women of various nationalities have stayed there and received the necessary support and care before returning to their home countries and families.
On 8 February 2026, the core group of the Diocese of Ouagadougou prayed the Rosary, meditating on Pope Leo’s message for this cause, and we also raised awareness about the fight against trafficking. The Pope began his address with the greeting of our risen Lord Jesus, ‘Peace be with you’ (Jn 20:19), and emphasized that these ‘words are more than a mere greeting; they offer a path towards a renewed humanity. True peace begins with the recognition and protection of the dignity given by God to every person”.
Therefore, dignity for all is our priority for lasting peace in our society.
After the prayer, the National President of the Talitha Kum Burkina network, Sister Nadine of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, took the opportunity to raise awareness among those who had come to pray with us, particularly the women members of the teachers’ group. Most of the women present acknowledged that their children had been victims of scams and had been narrowly rescued from trafficking networks. Others promised to be vigilant in helping their children and those around them to avoid falling into the traps set by traffickers, who often present promising ideas of a better life, yet which are in fact traps. They joined the Talitha Kum networks without hesitation. At the national level, we held a blessing mass for the centre on 8 March, keeping in mind Saint Bakhita, our patron saint. To this end, two days were dedicated to prayer and awareness-raising on the theme ‘Zero human trafficking for lasting peace: the role of women in restoring human dignity in Burkina Faso’.
On 7 March, we held a series of talks to raise awareness and educate people, explaining the importance of the shelter for survivors of trafficking and, above all, the Talitha Kum network. And on 8 March, following the Eucharistic celebration at the parish where the centre is located, the parish priest proceeded to perform the blessing of the candles. We held a procession of light as a sign of our commitment to be a light to those affected by human trafficking, showing them the path to life. Above all, we are committed to breaking the chains and restoring the lives. This celebration brought together the various groups within the network, namely: groups from Bobo Dioulasso, Banfora, Koudougou, Ouahigouya, Gaoua and Ouagadougou (in the country, we divide the networks into groups. This is a Talitha Kum network entity that operates in each diocese in collaboration with the national network).
TALITHA KUM TRANSIT CENTRE
This center provides shelter for international survivors, that is, young girls and women from abroad who have been victims of human trafficking in Burkina Faso, as well as young girls and women from within the country.
Its aim is to facilitate the voluntary and safe return of international survivors to their countries of origin, with ongoing psychological support. It also ensures follow-up in collaboration with the existing Talitha Kum network in the person’s home country. For national and local individuals, the aim is to promote sustainable social and economic reintegration and autonomy, as well as to reduce the risk of re-exploitation.
The center provides shelter and protection for these rescued individuals. It covers basic needs, offers psychological support, and provides legal and administrative assistance. It facilitates voluntary return to countries of origin. For local individuals, center staff provide educational and vocational training and seek out family members to promote family reconciliation and reintegration.
Those invited to the ceremony expressed their gratitude and pledged their support for the center. Among them were the major superiors of the religious congregations and the Council representative from the Nigerian Embassy:
The glory of God is the human being standing upright.”
